X-ray
X-ray Exams
Medical X-rays are able to image and identify bony and soft tissue structures. Diagnostic X-ray, the most common use, examines the body using either radiographs (or "still" images) or fluoroscopy (or "real-time" images). Fluoroscopy uses X-rays with video cameras so internal motion can be visualized. Some X-ray exams require drinking or injection of a "contrast" material that will better outline structures to be seen on the image.
There are many types of X-ray exams and most don't require any special preparation. Those that do require preparation include:
- Barium Enema
- Hysterosalpingogram
- Small Bowel Follow-Through
- Upper GI Series
- Upper GI Series with Small Bowel Follow-Through
If you are scheduled for one of these exams, you will receive detailed instructions on how to prepare.
Exams Information and Preparation
We offer many kinds of X-rays. Most of them (for example, chest X-rays) don't require any special preparation by the patient. If you are scheduled for a test listed below, please be sure to review the preparation procedures for that procedure.
An arthrogram is a test using X-rays and contrast material, a "dye", to image your affected joint. An arthrogram allows your doctor to evaluate the joint space and the surrounding soft tissue structures which may not be seen on regular radiographs.
Preparation For Your Exam
There is no special preparation for an arthrogram exam.
You may follow your normal diet.
Tell your doctor if you:
- May be pregnant
- Are allergic to iodine
- Are allergic to any medications, including anesthetics
- Have ever had a serious allergic reaction
- Have bleeding problems or take blood thinners (aspirin, coumadin, Plavix)
- Have a known infection around your joint
Can I take my usual medication?
You may take your usual medications on the day of the exam.
During the Exam
A radiologist will perform your arthrogram. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove any metallic objects from your joint area. Most arthrograms are done while you are lying on the X-ray table. Your skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic, and draped with sterile towels. An anesthetic is injected to numb the skin over the joint.
Using X-ray guidance, a small needle is placed into the joint space. On occasion, a sample of your joint fluid will be sent to the lab for testing. The radiologist will inject contrast material into your joint. Occasionally, anesthetics may be injected into the joint. The needle will then be removed. You may be asked to move your joint into various positions, and the radiologist may take different views with the X-ray machine.
Most patients who have arthrograms will have further imaging done immediately afterwards in MRI, or less commonly, Cat Scan. Patients having an MRI will fill out a questionnaire to ensure that they do not have any metallic objects in their bodies that would interfere with the exam.
Will it hurt?
It will be mildly uncomfortable. Patients typically tolerate arthrograms very well.
How long will it take?
The initial arthrogram takes approximately 20 minutes. The MRI portion of the exam takes between 30-45 minutes.
After the Exam
You may take whatever medication you normally use for pain. You may follow your normal dietary routine.
Getting Your Results
Your results are usually ready with 48 hours. You should follow up with your personal physician to obtain these results.
A barium enema is an X-ray exam of the large intestine (colon).
Preparation For Your Exam
What you will need the following supplies for your prep. Be sure you have them by the day before your barium enema.
- Magnesium citrate, lemon or original flavor - one (1) bottle (10 oz.)
- Two bisacodyl tablets (5 mg)
- One bisacodyl suppository (10 mg)
- Three (3) large bottles (16 oz. each) of Sprite or lemon-lime Gatorade
- One packet of Jell-O - any color except red or pink
- Vegetable, chicken, or beef bouillon broth cubes
- Vaseline jelly
The bowel prep can cause you to lose up to 2 quarts of fluid in the bowel movement. It is very important that you drink extra fluid on the day that you are completing your bowel prep and for two days after the examination. This helps avoid complications such as dizziness and fainting.
Three days before your procedure (for example if your procedure is on a Monday morning, begin this part of your prep on Friday morning):
- Begin a low-residue diet. Avoid fruits, salad, cereal, bran, Metamucil, seeds, and nuts.
- You may have chicken, fish, potatoes, white bread, soup, Jell-O, tea, or coffee.
- Detailed information on a low residue diet is included with this brochure.
One full day before the procedure (for example, if your procedure is on Monday morning, start this portion of the prep Sunday morning):
- Begin a clear liquid diet. Clear liquids include water, broth, Jell-O, Gatorade, Sprite, and clear juices. No coffee, milk or other dairy products.
- Be sure to drink plenty of fluid throughout the day. You should be on a clear liquid diet all day, beginning at breakfast.
- At 4 PM drink the bottle of magnesium citrate (10 oz.).
- Within the next 2 hours drink at least three, 8-ounce glasses of clear liquids.
- When you begin to have diarrhea, Vaseline jelly may be used around the outside of your rectum after each bowel movement to help prevent irritation. The use of baby wipes instead of toilet paper might also help irritation
- At 8 PM take the two bisacodyl tablets.
If you take medicine for diabetes - please contact the doctor who prescribes your diabetes medicine for advice about any adjustments that may be needed during your prep and on the day of your procedure.
Note : If you develop nausea when drinking the magnesium citrate, add ice cubes to chill the solution and drink though a straw.
In the morning of the day of your procedure:
- Stop drinking fluids three (3) hours before your appointment.
- At least two hours before the procedure, use the 10 mg bisacodyl suppository.
You may take any usual morning medications with a small sip of water. As noted previously, please follow your doctor's advice regarding diabetes medicine on the day of your barium enema.
Can I take my usual medication?
Essential medication may be taken with a sip of water. If you are diabetic, please consult your doctor before taking any medication on the morning of your exam.
During the Exam
A radiologist and a technologist will administer the barium enema. The barium mixture fills the large intestine so that it can be seen on X-ray. The radiologist will watch the images of your intestine on a special X-ray television screen. At times, the radiologist will ask you to change your position or hold your breath so that "snapshots" or spot films may be taken.
After these "snapshots" are taken, the technologist will take several larger films of your abdomen.
Will it hurt?
It will be mildly to moderately uncomfortable. Sometimes there will be cramping. The radiologist may give you an injection to relax the intestine.
How Long Will It Take?
The enema will take about fifteen minutes. However, you should allow extra time for preparation and for X-rays of the colon to be taken by the technologist -- about one hour in total.
After the Exam
- Please go back to taking your usual medications, unless you have been told otherwise. If you have any questions about medications, please let us know or contact your primary care provider.
- You may go back to your usual diet.
- If you have diabetes, please monitor your blood sugars carefully today as you resume your normal diet. If you have any questions or problems related to your diabetes, please contact the doctor who prescribes your diabetes medicine.
- Please continue to drink plenty of fluids over the next two days to replace fluids you lost during the bowel prep. Get help right away if you feel dizzy or if you faint.
- You should drink plenty of liquids to avoid constipation from the barium. If instructed by the radiologist, you should take four tablespoons of a mild laxative such as milk of magnesia.
Getting Your Results
Your primary-care physician will discuss the results with you.
Preparation For Your Exam
There is no special preparation for a Chest Fluoroscopy exam.
Can I take my usual medication?
Yes.
During the Exam
A radiologist will perform your arthrogram. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove any metallic objects such as a necklace. You will stand during the exam and you will be asked to take in deep breaths, and at times to hold your breath. You will also be asked to turn from side to side.
Will it hurt?
No.
How long will it take?
The exam takes approximately 10 minutes.
After the Exam
There are no special instructions.
Getting Your Results
Your results are usually ready with 48 hours. You should follow up with your personal physician to obtain these results.
A hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray exam of the uterus and the fallopian tubes.
Preparation For Your Exam
It is important that this exam be scheduled seven to ten days after the first day of your last menstrual period.
There are no dietary restrictions.
For maximum comfort, we recommend that you take 400 mg Motrin one hour before the exam. Motrin (ibuprofen) is available from your local pharmacy. It is also available on request in the radiology department.
Can I take my usual medication?
You may take medications.
During the Exam
A radiologist and a technologist will administer the exam. You will be placed in a position similar to a routine GYN exam. The radiologist will clean off your skin with a sterile iodine solution to prevent infection, cover you with a sterile towel, and insert a speculum. The radiologist will place a small catheter into the cervical canal and inject an X-ray "dye" to visualize the uterus and fallopian tubes. The radiologist will watch on a special X-ray television screen. At intervals, the radiologist will ask you to hold your breath, to breathe out, or to change your position so that "snapshots" or spot films may be taken.
Special note:
For your comfort we suggest that a companion accompany you. Also, for 24 hours after the test do not douche, use tampons, or have intercourse. You may take Tylenol or Motrin as needed for minor cramps.
It is normal to have some spotting or light bleeding, but if you have heavy bleeding or a fever at any time following this procedure, call your doctor immediately.
Will the exam hurt?
There may be some cramping associated with the injection of the X-ray dye.
How Long Will It Take?
The exam will take about 30 to 45 minutes.
After the Exam
Getting Your Results
Your primary-care physician will discuss the results with you.
A small bowel series is an X-ray exam of the small intestine that requires you to drink a liquid called barium.
Preparation For Your Exam
It is important that you do not eat or drink anything from midnight the night before your exam. Also, do not eat or drink the morning of your exam. If your stomach is not empty the study will not be satisfactory or may have to be postponed.
Can I take my usual medication?
Essential medication may be taken with a sip of water. If you are diabetic, please consult your doctor before taking any medication on the morning of your exam.
During the Exam
A radiologist and a technologist will be present during the exam. You will be asked to swallow a mildly flavored barium drink. The barium mixture fills your stomach and small intestine so that they can be seen on X-rays. The radiologist will watch this on a special X-ray television screen. Periodically, the radiologist will ask you to change your position or hold your breath so that "snapshots" or spot films may be taken.
Will it Hurt?
No.
How Long Will It Take?
The exam of your small bowel may take from 1 to 2 hours.
This is unpredictable since it depends on how fast the barium moves through the small intestine. We will take an X-ray every half hour to observe the movement of barium through the small intestine.
After the Exam
You may eat as soon as the exam is over. You should drink plenty of liquids to avoid constipation form the barium. If instructed by the radiologist, you should take four tablespoons of a mild laxative such as milk of magnesia.
Getting Your Results
The radiologist and your physician will discuss the results with you.
A GI or gastrointestinal series is an X-ray exam of the esophagus, stomach, and sometimes the small intestine that requires you to drink a liquid called barium.
Preparation For Your Exam
It is important that you do not eat or drink anything from midnight the night before your exam. Also, do not eat or drink the morning of your exam. If your stomach is not empty the study will not be satisfactory or may have to be postponed.
Can I take my usual medication?
Essential medication may be taken with a sip of water. If you are diabetic, please consult your doctor before taking any medication on the morning of your exam.
During the Exam
A radiologist and a technologist will be present during the exam. You will be asked to swallow a mildly flavored barium drink. The barium mixture fills your stomach and small intestine so that they can be seen on X-rays. The radiologist will watch this on a special X-ray television screen. Periodically, the radiologist will ask you to change your position or hold your breath so that "snapshots" or spot films may be taken.
Will it Hurt?
No.
How Long Will It Take?
The exam of your esophagus and stomach may take up to 30 or 45 minutes.
An exam involving your small intestine may take longer than two hours. This is unpredictable since it depends on how fast the barium moves through the small intestine. We will take an X-ray every half hour to observe the movement of barium through the small intestine.
After the Exam
You may eat as soon as the exam is over. You should drink plenty of liquids to avoid constipation form the barium. If instructed by the radiologist, you should take four tablespoons of a mild laxative such as milk of magnesia.
Getting Your Results
The radiologist and your physician will discuss the results with you.
A GI or gastrointestinal series is an X-ray exam of the esophagus, stomach, and sometimes the small intestine that requires you to drink a liquid called barium.
Preparation For Your Exam
It is important that you do not eat or drink anything from midnight the night before your exam. Also, do not eat or drink the morning of your exam. If your stomach is not empty the study will not be satisfactory or may have to be postponed.
Can I take my usual medication?
Essential medication may be taken with a sip of water. If you are diabetic, please consult your doctor before taking any medication on the morning of your exam.
During the Exam
A radiologist and a technologist will be present during the exam. You will be asked to swallow a mildly flavored barium drink. The barium mixture fills your stomach and small intestine so that they can be seen on X-rays. The radiologist will watch this on a special X-ray television screen. Periodically, the radiologist will ask you to change your position or hold your breath so that "snapshots" or spot films may be taken.
Will it Hurt?
No.
How Long Will It Take?
The exam of your stomach and small bowel may take from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
This is unpredictable since it depends on how fast the barium moves through the small intestine. We will take an X-ray every half hour to observe the movement of barium through the small intestine.
After the Exam
You may eat as soon as the exam is over. You should drink plenty of liquids to avoid constipation form the barium. If instructed by the radiologist, you should take four tablespoons of a mild laxative such as milk of magnesia.
Getting Your Results
The radiologist and your physician will discuss the results with you.