Diagnostic Imaging Center

• Radiology request form
• Civil ID
• Insurance card (if applicable)
• Any previous CT reports, CDs, films, etc. of any prior relevant studies (such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans) you may have undergone, for comparison purposes.
• Renal function Test (RFT) within 4 weeks of your exam for IV and oral contrast, if required.

If your doctor has ordered a CT exam with contrast, you will be required to do the following:

• Fast for 4 to 6 hours.
• If you are having an abdominal CT with oral and IV contrast, you will have to report Two hour before your appointment to start drinking the oral contrast and preparing for your test.
• You will also have to bring blood reports showing your kidney function tests (especially creatinine levels). The blood report must be within 4 weeks of your exam.
• You can continue taking your routine medications on the day of the examination. You may take your medications with small amounts of water. However, you should not take any morning dose of insulin.
• If you are taking Glucophage/Metformin please inform the receptionist at the time of appointment as these medications will have to be stopped for 48 hours after the study. You will be required to repeat your kidney function test after 48 hours. If the reports are normal, you can resume taking Glucophage/Metformin. If the reports are abnormal, you should contact your referring doctor.
• If you have known allergies to iodinated CT contrast or any other medications, it is important to clearly notify the radiology personnel about it. In case of allergies to medications, you will have to go to your doctor to get necessary pre-medication before doing your exam with contrast.
•  Patients who have asthma, the contrast study will be performed only if the condition is controlled by appropriate medication to ensure patient safety.

• For women who are likely to be pregnant, it is very important to tell your doctor before getting CT scan, and inform the reception at the time of appointment. To avoid exposure to the fetus, your doctor may recommend another type of exam like an ultrasound or an MRI.
• Depending on the medical need, the CT scan will be performed immediately or postponed to a later date .in case you have to get CT scan while pregnant  , extra cautions will be taken to protect the fetus from radiation.
• In general, for all women in reproductive age group, the ‘ten-day rule’ is followed. This means that whenever possible, it is safer to get your CT scan done within the first ten days of the onset of menstruation.
• For females, you may also sign a pregnancy consent form prior to starting the exam.
• For pediatric patients, parent or guardian of patient younger than 18 years of age will sign pediatric consent form for CT scan examination, and will be explained regarding CT procedure and its benefit, and the precaution that will be taken during examination.

• Please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging Reception at least 30 minutes before your test. Failing to attend within 20 minutes of the given appointment time may lead to cancellation.
• If you are having CT scan with oral contrast (dye), you will arrive two hours early and begin drinking the contrast given to you.
• CT scan examinations can also be done without a previous appointment. However, walk in patients may be required to wait for some time.
• Parent or guardian of patient younger than 18 years of age must accompany the patient.
• At the time of the examination, you may be asked to change into a gown. Lockers are provided to store your belongings for the duration of the scan.
• It is advisable that you leave all valuables at home. The center bears no responsibility if lost.
• In case you have personal belongings, you can give them to your relative/ attendant for safety. Alternatively, you can use the locker inside the changing room.
• All metallic objects on the body part being scanned such as piercings, jewelry, hairpins, coins, phones, wallets, watches, etc. will have to be removed prior to scanning. Necessary paperwork including consent forms will also be completed at this time.
• The radiology nurse will insert a cannula for the iodinated contrast which will be injected into your veins during the scan. At the time of injection, you may experience a feeling of warmth in your body or a metallic taste in your mouth
• You will enter the scan room under the supervision of a CT technologist. Depending on the constraints of the examination you are undergoing, you will enter the machine on a sliding table head-first or feet-first. Straps will be used as necessary to prevent movement of the body part. You will be given radiation shields as appropriate for the examination. Once you are inside the scan room, you will be able to easily communicate with the technologist via an intercom system.

Generally, examinations take about 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

• Upon completion of your CT scan with contrast study (Dye), you will be guided back to the recovery room. Following contrast studies, you will be asked to stay for some time, so that you can be monitored.
• For contrast studies, it is recommended that you drink lots of water to remove the contrast from your body through your kidneys. Post Procedure Instructions for Receiving I.V. Contrast will be given by nurse.
• After leaving Diagnostic Imaging Center, In case of any reactions following the contrast (dye), please report to your nearest Emergency unit and inform them that you have done a CT scan with contrast.
• For non-contrast exams, you are free to resume with your regular  activities and medications as per your doctor instructions  after the test is finished.
• On completion of your CT exam, you may proceed to reception for information about the collection of your report.

• Radiology request form  
• Civil ID 
• Insurance card 
• Reports, CDs, films, etc. of any prior relevant studies (such as prior ultrasounds, X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans) you may have undergone as these will be helpful in better assessing your condition. 

How to prepare for your exam depends on the type of exam you are having. At the time of your appointment you will be given instructions specific to your test. Please follow them carefully in order to obtain a good study. 

Below are some expected guidelines for common ultrasound studies: 

Pelvis: 

• A full urinary bladder is required to evaluate the bladder and prostate in men and bladder, uterus and ovaries in females. For this, you will have to drink about one liter of water and refrain from using the toilet to ensure your bladder is full. 

In case of an abdomen and pelvis study, both sets of guidelines mentioned above will have to be followed. 

Note: For ultrasound of thyroid, testes/scrotum, Doppler ultrasound for neck, limbs, abdomen and vascular lab studies, no specific preparation is required. 

• Please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging Reception at least 30 minutes before your test. Failing to attend within 20 minutes of the given appointment time may lead to cancellation. 
• Parent or guardian of patient younger than 18 years of age must accompany the patient. 
• You may be asked to remove jewelry and change into a gown before your exam. If you are having a vascular study of your limbs, wear loose fitting clothes to allow easy access to different parts of your limbs. It is advisable that you leave all valuables at home. The center bears no responsibility if lost. 
• In case you have personal belongings, you can either give them to your relative/ attendant for safety. Alternatively, you can use the locker inside the procedure room.  
• You will lie down on an examination table for the test and depending on the area being examined you may be asked to change positions for better visualization of your internal structures. A gel will be applied to you skin in the area of the examination. The radiologist will slowly move a probe over the area while viewing the images produced on the screen. 
• For upper and lower limb vascular studies, please inform the nurse or technician of any recent surgeries, mastectomies, presence of dialysis fistulas, bypass grafts, etc. In some studies, several cuffs will be applied at different locations on your limb and measurements will be taken. For venous blood flow studies, pressure will be applied by squeezing your limbs by hand. A small degree of discomfort is expected in such exams. 
• For carotid Doppler study and thyroid ultrasound, you neck will be tilted back at an angle for better visualization of your vessels/gland. 

Generally, examinations take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. 

• After the procedure, the gel will be cleaned off your skin.  
• Upon completion of your test, you may proceed to reception for information about the collection of your report. 
• You may resume regular activities and take all your medications as indicated by your doctor.  

• Radiology request form
• Civil ID
• Insurance card (if applicable)
• Any previous BMD reports for tests you may have undergone elsewhere, for comparison purposes.

• BMD: If you are taking calcium, this supplement will have to be stopped for 48 hours (2 days) before your appointment. It will be better to bring the list of the medications that you are taking.
• Total Body Composition: There is no need to stop any medication for this exam.
• You should not have received any form of contrast or dye within 15 days prior to your appointment. Also, inform the technologist if you had any recent nuclear medicine tests.
• If there is a possibility of pregnancy, examination will not perform and the appointment will be rescheduled till after pregnancy is ruled out.
• Wearing comfortable and loose clothes that do not have any metallic object (zipper, clasps or snaps) over the lower abdomen and hips will facilitate your test.

• Please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging Reception at least 30 minutes before your test. Failing to attend within 20 minutes of the given appointment time may lead to cancellation.
• Parent or guardian of patient younger than 18 years of age must accompany the patient.
• Kindly inform the receptionist if you have any metallic implant or if there is a suspicion of pregnancy.
• It is advisable that you leave all valuables at home. The center bears no responsibility if lost.
• In case you have personal belongings, you can give them to your relative/attendant for safety. Alternatively, you can use the locker inside the procedure room.
• Prior to the test, an interview with the technologist will include a detailed form with your current medications and medical history.
• The following items should be removed prior to examination:
  1. Jewelry and personal accessories
  2. Hearing aid
  3. Dentures
  4. Watches, eyeglasses
  5. Hair wigs and hairpieces
  6. Bank magnetic cards
  7. Coins, keys, pens, and jewelries
  8. Mobile phones
  9. Insulin Pump
  10. CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor): The technologist will check and decide as per its type.
  11. Accelerometer activity watch.
• You will be asked to change into a gown, if necessary, before your exam. You will have to remove all plastic and metal objects from the lower back and hip area. If forearm is scanned, you will be asked to remove watches, bracelets, etc.
• For the test, you will asked to lie down on a padded table as the arm of the scanner passes over you to acquire the images. The areas scanned may include the lower back, your hips or your forearm or total body.
• The technologist will position you appropriately for each part of the test. You will be asked to lie still for the duration of the scan while images are being acquired.
• In total body composition, you will be asked to remove all such objects as mentioned before, from your entire body and the scan will cover your whole body from head to toe. You will lie supine and will be asked to be stable without moving arms and legs for 7 to 13 min, as it will affect in image quality.

Generally, examinations take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

• Upon completion of your BMD test, you may proceed to reception for information about the collection of your report.
• You may resume regular activities and take all your medications as advised by your doctor.