What
should I do to prepare for the exam?
You may need to avoid food or fluids for 5 to 8 hours before the scan if a contrast medium
will be used. This substance makes some conditions more visible. Please notify our staff
if you have any allergies, particularly to iodine. Some people are allergic to certain
contrast mediums.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and remove jewelry, hairpins, eyeglasses, dentures, etc.
before a head scan. You may need to change into a smock for a body scan since zippers and
snaps can interfere with the scan.
How much time should I allow?
The exam may take from 10 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the type of test and
whether a contrast medium is used.
What can I expect?
If a contrast medium is used, this may be administered by mouth, by injection or through
an IV line. The technologist will help position
you on the examination table. For a head scan, the technologist will comfortably secure
your head with a snap.
You will be moved into the scanner. The technologist stays in a nearby room to control the
procedure but they will still be able to hear and see you. Relax and hold still. For best
results, it’s very important that you don’t move during the scan.
During the scan you will hear the motors. You will be moved slightly after each scan, but
you may not even notice the change. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few
seconds.
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