How to Prepare for Your Radiology Appointment
Please select your exam from the below options to find out more about the procedure and the preparation required for your exam.
X-Ray
There is no special preparation necessary for having X-Rays. However, you may be asked to remove any clothing which has metal (such as zippers or buttons) or any other metal items (such as Jewelry) as these objects interfere with the images obtained.
It is important to note that women who may be pregnant should not be X-Rayed during the last two weeks of their menstrual cycle.
Bone Mineral Density (BMD)
It is preferable to wear clothing without zippers or fasteners (e.g. jogging suit or leggings). On the day of the examination do not take calcium supplements or iron tablets until after the examination.
Ultrasound Abdomen
Includes studies of the gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, liver, kidneys, and aorta.
If your appointment is in the morning, do not eat or drink anything after 8 p.m. the night before. If your appointment is in the afternoon, for breakfast you may eat dry toast, black tea, black coffee, and juice up to 9 a.m. but nothing to eat or drink after that. These instructions are important as we require you to have an empty stomach.
Ultrasound Pelvis
Includes studies of the gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, liver, kidneys, and aorta.
If your appointment is in the morning, do not eat or drink anything after 8 p.m. the night before. If your appointment is in the afternoon, for breakfast you may eat dry toast, black tea, black coffee, and juice up to 9 a.m. but nothing to eat or drink after that. These instructions are important as we require you to have an empty stomach.
Ultrasound Abdomen and Pelvis Combined - Genitourinary (GU) Tract
You must have an empty stomach and full bladder. Do not eat anything within 12 hours of the examination. Finish drinking 3 large glasses (24 oz / 750 mL) of water (and only water) 45 minutes before your examination. Do not go to the washroom.
Ultrasound Prostate with Transrectal
Take a mild laxative the evening before your appointment (prostate only – omit laxative). Please start drinking 1.5 hours before your appointment and finish
45 minutes before the appointed time. You must drink 3 large glasses (24 oz / 750 mL) of water.
Hysterosonography
- Please avoid sexual intercourse for two weeks prior to your appointment.
- You should not be experiencing any bleeding or menstrual period at the time of the procedure.
- Please ensure that you are not pregnant.
- On the day of your appointment, take two (2) tablets of 250 mg Tylenol or Advil at 7:00 AM.
