CT Preparation

Wear comfortable, loose fitting two-piece clothing for your exam. You will be asked to remove any articles of clothing or jewelry that might degrade the CT images, such as, belts, earrings, bras, glasses, dentures, hairpins, etc. You may be asked to change into a gown if snaps or zippers will interfere with your scan. Should your scan require a contrast agent you will receive detailed instructions at the time your appointment is scheduled.

Special preparation is not required for most CT Scans. Exams of the abdomen and pelvis do require an oral contrast agent. The oral contrast is called barium. A barium drink is required 1 hour prior to your scan for an abdomen and 24 hours before for a pelvic scan.

Able Imaging has listed below all CT Scan procedures that require preparation.

Exam	Preparation Instructions
CT Abdomen	AM appointment - Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. PM appointment - Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to exam. Must drink Barium 1 hour prior to exam.
CT Pelvis	AM appointment - Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. PM appointment - Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to exam. Must drink Barium evening prior to exam.
CT Neck with contrast	Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to exam.
CT Chest with contrast	Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to exam.
CT Cervical Spine with contrast	Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to exam.
CT Lumbar Spine with contrast	Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to exam.
CT Brain with contrast	Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to exam.
CT Angiogram	Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to exam.

We recommend you drink plenty of water the day before your exam for all contrast studies.

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