You may wear comfortable clothing or may be required to change into a gown.
Because metal affects the CT image, please do you not wear clothing with
zippers or snaps.
If you are scheduled for an exam of the head, earrings, glasses, hearing
aids, dentures and other removable dental appliances must be removed prior
to the exam.
For some CT scans, especially of the abdomen or pelvis, you may be asked
to drink barium (or contrast). Please come by the day before your scheduled
exam, and pick up the barium.
If you are scheduled for an exam with contrast or "x-ray dye,"
you should not eat or drink anything 2 hours before your exam, with the
exception of your normal medications that can be taken with a sip of water.
For some CT scans, we may need to inject contrast material into a vein
to help the doctor see body structures better. If you are allergic to
iodine, or have had a reaction to x-ray contrast before, you may need
to be pre-medicated prior to your exam. Please inform the Radiology Department
if you have an iodine allergy when scheduling your appointment.
If you are diabetic and take Glucophage (Metformin) or combination medications
containing Glucophage (Metformin), you may take your medicine before the
exam, but cannot resume taking it for at least 48 hours after the exam
is completed.
