:: Patient Education Center
Below you will find information regarding your visit. Please take a moment to look over the information on preparing for your exam as well as some answers to common questions you may have.
Preparation for your MRI or CT exam
Most MRI exams require no preparation. However for some types of scans you may be asked to not eat or drink for 4 hours prior to your test. Your doctor's office will let you know if this is necessary.
Most CT examinations do not usually require any special patient preparations. However, in some body regions a detailed display is possible only with the help of a contrast medium. The contrast medium is administered immediately prior to the examination and is usually well tolerated by the patient. This medium contains iodine, which might cause an allergic reaction in some patients. Please inform the Regents Imaging staff prior to your exam if you are allergic to iodine, or have had any reactions to CT contrast previously.
We recommend you wear loose fitting clothing, such as a warm-up or jogging outfit, with no buttons or metal zippers.
You may continue to take your usual medications, but should avoid caffeine and smoking for four hours before the exam.
If you have had recent exams to diagnose this same or a similar problem at another facility, it would be helpful for the radiologist to see those exams. If available, please bring prior studies with you.
Preparing for your CT exam
Some patients are at high risk of allergic reaction or kidney failure when given Iodine-based IV contrast. If you have any of the following occurrences in your medical history PLEASE INFORM THE STAFF AT THE TIME YOU ARE SCHEDULING YOUR APPOINTMENT:
- Allergic to Iodine
- Previous reactions to CT IV contrast
- On dialysis
- High Creatinine level
Are you?
- Diabetic and taking Glucophage or Metformin
- More than 50 years old
- On Chemo or Radiation treatment
- Do you have kidney or renal dysfunction
Patients who answer yes to any of the questions above must have BUN and Creatinine lab results within 30 days prior to their CT exam.
Please do not eat within 4 hours of your exam, but drink plenty of water before if you will have IV contrast for your study.
Diabetic patients will need to stop Glucophage or Metformin the night before the exam.
Do not re-start medication until BUN and Creatinine labs are drawn and normal results received.
What is a CT or CAT scan?
A CT or CAT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called "slices") of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, blood vessels and organs.
In computed tomography, the x-ray beam moves in a circle around the body. This allows many different views of the same organ or structure, and provides much greater detail. The x-ray information is sent to a computer that interprets the x-ray data and displays it in 2-dimensional form on a monitor. In some cases, the data is sent to a special computer that produces 3D pictures.
CT scans may be done with or without contrast. "Contrast" refers to a substance taken by mouth or injected into an intravenous (IV) line that causes the particular organ or tissue under study to be seen more clearly. Contrast examinations require special preparation.
CT scans may be performed to help diagnose tumors, evaluate blood vessels, determine calcium "scores" of the coronary arteries or check for other internal disease, injuries or damage.
The X-Ray beam travels through the body and to the detector array providing detailed information from all angles.
Question : Is the MRI scanner open?
Answer: The MRI scanners at both Regents Centers are what is a called short bore, high field design. The short bore means that it is more like a CAT scan than a traditional tunnel type of MRI. It is so short that for many exams, the patient's head is way out of the scanner. Most patients find the short bore MRI design to be very comfortable.
The high field means that the images are very detailed and clear. High field also means that the scanning is much faster than lower field MR systems. We have a picture of our scanner on this web site. If you are apprehensive, come by the center for a view of the examination room.
Question : I am getting my hips scanned. Will my head be out of the MRI machine?
Answer: Yes. Your head is completely out of the scanner when we scan the foot, ankle, knee, and hips. Your head is almost out when we scan the lumbar spine. Realize that whether you have an open or closed MRI, if you are having your brain, neck or shoulder scanned, your head will be inside.
Question: How long does the typical MRI take?
Answer: The entire visit might be an hour, but the amount of time in the MR exam room is about 20-25 minutes.
Helpful Links
San Diego County Medical Society
California Radiological Society
American College of Radiology
Society of Interventional Radiology
Radiological Society of North America
American Society Neuroradiology
American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology
Aunt Minni - Radiology Information for the Radiologist
Radiology Information for Patients
WebMD - Patient Health Information
Scan Directory for health screenings
The Vein Directory
Vein Health Information
EVLT® Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins
Ask4UFE - Uterine Fibroid Information
