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Keeping Your Mammogram Safe

Learn about the extra measures we are taking to keep your mammogram safe during these unique times.

Always let us know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have breast implants. Use the relevant instructions below for your procedure:

Digital Mammography

If you have had a breast biopsy, please tell us. To minimize your discomfort, schedule your exam two to three days after the end of your period when your breasts will be less tender. Do not wear lotions, perfume, powder, deodorant or glitter on the breast or underarm area.

Breast Ultrasound

Wear a two-piece outfit for the exam if you would like to undress only above the waist. After donning a gown, the technologist will have you lie down on the ultrasound table and apply warm gel to the breast, to help the hand-held transducer transmit the sound waves.

Breast MRI

Because the MRI uses a powerful magnet, our staff will carefully screen you to make sure that you don’t have any ferromagnetic metals on or in your body that could interfere with the magnet. For your safety, it is essential that you inform staff of any such objects.

If you are having an MRI and you have a pacemaker or heart defibrillator, please call our office immediately. If you wear a cardiac monitor, Medtronic drug infusion system, nerve stimulator, programable shut, stent, eye or ear implant we need the following device name, device model and device maker and in order to ensure it is safe for you to have your exam.

The presence of metal in your body may be a safety hazard or affect a portion of the MRI image. Before receiving an MRI, tell the technologist if you have any metal or electronic devices in your body, such as metallic joint prostheses, artificial heart valves or cardiac stents, an implanted heart defibrillator, a pacemaker, metal clips, cochlear implants, a bullet, shrapnel or any other type of metal fragment.

Before you schedule an MRI, tell your doctor if you think you’re pregnant. Your doctor may recommend choosing an alternative exam or postponing the MRI. It’s also important to discuss any kidney or liver problems with your doctor and the technologist, because problems with these organs may limit the use of injected contrast agents during your scan. A contrast (gadolinium) injection may be necessary to provide better information in some MRI exams. Our staff will notify you at the time you schedule your MRI if this is necessary in your exam. Most MRIs do not involve a contrast injection.

If you are having an MRI and you have a pacemaker or heart defibrillator, please call our office immediately. If you wear a cardiac monitor, Medtronic drug infusion system, nerve stimulator, programable shut, stent, eye or ear implant we need the following device name, device model and device maker and in order to ensure it is safe for you to have your exam.

Before an MRI exam, eat normally and continue to take your usual medications, unless otherwise instructed. You will be asked to change into a gown and to remove jewelry, hairpins, eyeglasses, watches, wigs, dentures, hearing aids, underwire bras and metallic make-up.

• If you are taking Coumadin (a blood thinning medication), arrange with your doctor to stop taking the medication 24-48 hours before your MR Arthrography appointment.

• If you are having an MRI and you have a pacemaker or heart defibrillator, please call our office immediately. If you wear a cardiac monitor, Medtronic drug infusion system, nerve stimulator, programable shut, stent, eye or ear implant we need the following device name, device model and device maker and in order to ensure it is safe for you to have your exam.

• Please arrange for someone to drive you home from the exam.

• Please arrive one (1) hour and 15 minutes before your appointment so that you have time to drink a special barium solution that helps us better see the bowel. Do not eat or drink anything except water at least eight (8) hours prior to your procedure, and preferably beginning at 12 a.m. (midnight) the night before your procedure.

• If you are having an MRI and you have a pacemaker or heart defibrillator, please call our office immediately. If you wear a cardiac monitor, Medtronic drug infusion system, nerve stimulator, programable shut, stent, eye or ear implant we need the following device name, device model and device maker and in order to ensure it is safe for you to have your exam.

• Do not wear metal (including metallic make-up) or jewelry. Let your doctor know if you have any implants, such as a pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator, a brain aneurysm clip, a cardiac stent, stimulators or metal in any part of your body.

• Notify us in advance if you have renal (kidney) disease. If you are, or think you may be, pregnant, tell your physician.

• Remove metal and plastic items from the part of your body being examined.

• If you could be pregnant, are breast feeding, are allergic to contrast medium (dye), or are diabetic, please tell our staff.

Special instructions for an Abdominal or Pelvic scan

Do not eat anything for two (2) hours before your scan. Before your scan, you may be asked to drink a liquid to help us visualize your bowel.

• Do not take any calcium supplements for 24 hours before your exam.

• If you have had an X-ray that used any contrast material (dye) or a nuclear medicine study, schedule your DEXA exam at least one week after those tests.

• At most centers, if you weigh more than 300 pounds, only your forearm will be scanned. To find a center that can accommodate up to 350 pounds, call us.

• For the best patient care, please return to the same DEXA unit where you were initially scanned.

Use the relevant special instructions below, as well as the general instructions at the top of this page.

Pelvic ultrasound

Drink 48 ounces of fluid one hour before your exam and do not empty your bladder until the test is completed.

Obstetrical ultrasound

• 1st Trimester – drink 48 ounces of fluid one hour before the exam and do not empty your bladder until the test is completed.

• 2nd Trimester – drink 32 ounces of fluid one hour before the exam and do not empty your bladder until the test is completed.

• Limited in 2nd & 3rd Trimester:
  For growth, AFI, BPP, position or anatomy – no preparation needed.
  For cervical length, bleeding, placenta location – drink 28-32 ounces of fluid one hour before the exam and do not empty your bladder until the test is completed.

Biophysical profile (BPP)

This test determines the health of your fetus by checking movement, increases in heart rate, muscle tone, breathing rate, and amount of amniotic fluid. Eat or drink something sweet one hour prior to the ultrasound exam, unless contraindicated by your physician.

Gallbladder and abdominal ultrasound

Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum for six (6) hours before the test.

Renal ultrasound

Drink 16 ounces of fluid one (1) hour before the exam and do not empty your bladder until the test is completed.

This exam requires no special preparation. Use the general instructions at the top of this page.

Let us know what medications you take, including non-prescription medicines and supplements.

You will receive an injected, oral, or inhaled preparation of an isotope (a radioactive material) before your exam. This material highlights the part of your body being examined and allows the radiologist to see how certain organs are functioning.

For Gallbladder (HIDA) and Gastric Emptying Scans

• Do not eat or drink for six (6) hours before the scan.

• No barium studies for five (5) days before the scan.

For Thyroid Scans

• Do not eat or drink for four (4) hours before the scan.

• Do not have any test that requires the use of contrast media for six (6) weeks before your scan.

• Discontinue medicines containing iodine and thyroid hormones for three (3) weeks prior to the scan. Please contact your referring physician for approval before you stop taking any medication.

• No multi-vitimins, or seafood or kelp-based food supplements one week prior to scan.

• No seafood for one week prior to exam.

Fluoroscopy uses a continuous low-dose X-ray beam to produce images of organs and bones in real time. During this procedure, radiologists usually use contrast material (dye) to highlight the area being examined. The contrast material can be injected or taken orally or rectally.

Special instructions for GI/Small Bowel Exams

Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum after midnight the night before your exam. You may brush your teeth, but avoid swallowing any water.

Special instructions for Barium Enemas and Air Contrast Enema Exams

• Pick up a prep kit from your local pharmacy before your appointment and use the kit following the included instructions.

• For children under 12, please call our office for special instructions.

• If you have a colostomy, please call our office for special instructions.

Colon cleansing is required before the exam and consists of a diet of clear liquids on the day before the exam, along with a prescribed water and laxative routine. On the day of the exam, only critical medications such as heart medication should be ingested, with a minimal amount of water, as prescribed by your physician.