CT Preparation
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CT Preparation

CT scanning allows your physician to see inside your body without the need to operate because it creates a high resolution, 3-D image of the body. The images produced are similar to what a surgeon would see when performing an operation. Because CT images are more detailed than the images produced by conventional X-Rays, there is greater accuracy and an ability to detect small abnormalities that might have otherwise gone undetected. It is fast, effective and the risks are low.

RDC was the first in the Diagnostic Imaging Community to offer ASIR (Adaptive Statistical Interactive Reconstruction) with our CT imaging. ASIR is a software program used prospectively with the CT imaging sequence to reduce radiation dose to the patient by up to 30%.

  • Cancers
  • Enlarged Lymph Nodes and masses
  • Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Disease
  • Back Problems
  • Pulmonary Blood Clots
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Appendicitis and other infectious disease
  • Colon Cancer via Virtual Colonoscopy
  • Drink 300ml (approximately 10 ounces) of barium contrast 1.5 hours prior to your appointment.
  • Drink the remaining 150ml 30 minutes prior to your exam.

Brain or Chest

Any exam with contrast, nothing to eat or drink for 2-4 hours before exam.

Abdomen and/or Pelvis

Pick up Prep Kit from Reno Diagnostic Centers or your doctor at least one day prior to exam. The barium contrast you have been given will taste better if refrigerated. Please be advised that the prep may cause mild to severe diarrhea. It is extremely important that you drink all of the barium, and at the specified times. We realize this is a lot to drink. However, the contrast is important for the best CT images.

You may have a light meal up to 4 hours prior to your exam.

You may take your medications up to the time of your exam with as little fluid as possible.

Abdomen Exam/450ml

  • Drink 300ml (approximately 10 ounces) of barium contrast 1.5 hours prior to your appointment.
  • Drink the remaining 150ml 30 minutes prior to your exam.

Pelvis Exam, Or, Abdomen and Pelvis Exam/900ml

For Morning Pelvis or Abdomen/Pelvis Exams PRIOR TO 9AM
  • Drink 300ml barium 3 hours prior to exam OR at bedtime the night prior to your exam.
  • Drink 300ml barium 1.5 hours prior to exam.
  • Upon arrival for your exam/appointment, drink the remaining 150ml.

For Afternoon Pelvis or Abdomen/Pelvis Exams:

  • Drink 300ml barium 3 hours prior to exam.
  • Drink 300ml barium 1.5 hours prior to exam.
  • Upon arrival for your exam/appointment, drink the remaining 150ml.

Spine, or Extremity or Bone Mineral Analysis

No preparation is required for this procedure.

Coronary CT Angiogram

A Coronary CT Angiogram (CCTA) allows you to exclude significant coronary artery disease with a 64-Slice CT scanner. This study provides an accurate Traditional Coronary Angiography without the invasiveness and risk because:

  • Please arrive 1 hour prior to your appointment time.
  • No caffeine, including coffee, tea, cola or Mountain Dew 12 hours prior to your exam.
  • Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to your exam.
  • No exercise the day of your exam.
  • No Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis (or any other ED medication) 2 days prior and 1 day after exam.

Virtual Colonoscopy

It is very important to follow the prep instructions exactly to ensure the best and most accurate results. A poor or incomplete prep results in a reduced quality exam. Please pick up your Virtual Colonoscopy Prep Kit from Reno Diagnostic Centers three days prior to your procedure.

Please read ALL instructions prior to starting prep.

Allowed food for lunch and dinner 2 days before your Virtual Colonoscopy exam.

Suggested menu for two days before your Virtual Colonoscopy:

  Allowed Please Avoid
Dairy Milk, plain yogurt; limit to 2 cups, use low fat products Yogurt with fruit skins or seeds, strongly flavored cheeses
Meats Plainly prepared fish, poultry, eggs, boiled, broiled or baked Added fats, gravies fried sauces, heavy seasonings
Starches White Rice, potato with no skin, spaghetti (no red sauce), noodle-macaroni Potato with skin, brown rice
Fruit Juice Clear fruit juices, canned fruit (no seeds, skin or membranes) Fresh fruits, raisins, dried fruits, prunes/prune juice, skins (Avoid fruit that is red in color as this can mimic blood if retained in the colon after laxation.)
Beverage Water, decaffeinated: coffee (limited), fruit flavored drinks, tea, carbonated drinks (no red drinks) All other beverages
Soup Bouillon/broth, strained soups, soup made with allowed vegetables and meats All other soups
Dessert Gelatin, fruit ice, popsicle (no red color) Coconuts, nuts, seeds, hard clear candies, fruits that are not allowed on this list

1 Day Before Your Virtual Colonoscopy Exam

The LOSO PREP™ kit will help you prepare for your procedure by cleansing your lower intestinal tract. It is important that you follow and complete all directions carefully. Take only the medications, foods, and fluids in the amount specified, and at the times shown, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Following these instructions will provide the best results and avoid having to repeat the procedure. Individual responses to laxatives vary so remain close to toilet facilities once you have started the bowel cleansing procedure.

Note: A high fluid intake is required for this preparation. Drink at least one full 8 fl oz glass of water at each of the times specified. DO NOT USE MILK, CREAM OR NON-DAIRY CREAMER.

Check off as completed

  • Breakfast: Clear soup (any broth); strained fruit juices without pulp; flavored gelatin that is not red (do not add extra ingredients); soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea. Drink one bottle of Tagitol.
  • Noon: Clear soup (any broth); strained fruit juices without pulp; flavored gelatin that is not red (do not add extra ingredients); soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea. Drink one bottle of Tagitol.
  • 1:00pm: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
  • 2:00pm: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
  • 3:00pm: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
  • 4:00pm: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
  • 5:00pm: Clear soup (any broth); strained fruit juices without pulp; flavored gelatin that is not red (do not add extra ingredients); soft drinks, black coffee or plain tea. Drink one bottle of Tagitol.
  • 5:30pm: Slowly add contents of the packet of Magnesium Carbonate, Citric Acid, and Potassium Citrate for Oral Solution to 8 fl oz of cold water in a large glass (minimum 16 fl oz capacity). Stir gently. After effervescence (fizzing) stops, stir gently and drink entire contents of glass. This product generally produces a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours.
  • 6:00pm: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
  • 7:00pm: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
  • 7:30pm: Peel the backing off the packet of Bisacodyl tablets and remove the four (4) enclosed tablets. Take all four (4) with one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water. DO NOT CHEW TABLETS. (See WARNINGS: Bisacodyl Tablets). The tablets are to be taken two hours after drinking the Magnesium Carbonate, Citric Acid, and Potassium Citrate for Oral Solution. Bisacodyl tablets generally produce bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours.
  • 8:00pm: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.
  • 9:00pm: Drink one (1) full 8 fl oz glass of water.

DO NOT EAT AFTER 9:00pm

Day Of Your Virtual Colonoscopy Exam

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING
  • Please continue to take prescribed medications by your physician.
  • Please discontinue any supplements and/or vitamins on the day of your procedure.
  • At least two hours before the examination, unwrap the foil wrapper from the Bisacodyl suppository and discard foil.

    While lying on your side with thigh raised, insert the suppository into the rectum and gently push in as far as possible.

    Retain the suppository for at least 15 minutes, if possible, before evacuating, even if the urge is strong. Bowel evacuation usually occurs within 15 to 60 minutes. If you require assistance, you should have a bed pan, commode or help readily available.

  • Refrigerate suppository so it is firm before use.
  • The actual Virtual Colonoscopy procedure will begin by having a small tube placed in the rectum, so that air can be introduced.
  • A CT scan is then performed while patients are positioned first on their back, and then later on their stomach.
  • The total time required for this study is approximately 10-15 minutes.
  • Because sedation is not required, patients are free to leave immediately following their exam without the need for observation or recovery.
  • Patients can resume normal activities immediately after the procedure and can eat, work or drive without a delay.
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