Preparations

Ask your doctor if you can continue to drink water and take your medications as you normally would before an ultrasound. Your doctor will usually tell you to fast for 8 to 12 hours before your ultrasound. That’s because undigested food in the stomach and urine in the bladder can block the sound waves, making it difficult for the technician to get a clear picture.

There’s an exception to fasting if you’re having an ultrasound of your gallbladder, liver, pancreas, or spleen. In those cases, you may be instructed to eat a fat-free meal the evening before your test, and start fasting after it.

The first step is to determine the type of test to be performed.  Different organs of the body will need special preparation, while others do not. For example, in the examination of the thyroid, it is important that medications containing iodine are not taken prior to the procedure. On the other hand, some cardiac examinations using this equipment will require consuming chocolate, in order to empty the gallbladder of substances that can interfere with the camera.

The next step is to actually inject the patient with a radioisotope, which is a substance that accumulates in the specific organ or tissue that will be examined. The exact dose would differ depending on the organ to be examined. This radioisotope then gives off radiation that is subsequently detected by the camera. This process is a little similar to what you will get from a PET/CT service, though the latter principle is a combination of positron emission and the X ray technology that you find in a CT scanner.

The third step is to wait for the results to come out. Different organ systems will have different waiting times. For instance, scintigraphy of the kidneys will take about 15-20 minutes, while the heart will take about 90-120 minutes. The time depends on how active the organ is and how quickly it actually takes up the radioisotope. It also depends on the type of camera being used, whether it uses a single or dual head, such as the Cardio MD.

After the procedure, all that is left is for the doctor to interpret your results. In recent years, there has been some concern about the radiation effects caused by gamma cameras, but it should be noted that the doses are actually less than what we will get from some X rays. That, coupled with the fact that the technology has been around for a long time, should indicate the relative safety of the procedure.

EEG, electroencephalography, is the most prominent method of diagnosing epileptic seizures. It is also used to monitor brain activity during surgery, check for dementia, sleep disorders and more.  An EEG study detects the electrical activity happening within the brain and captures brainwave data so a doctor can analyze the results for an accurate diagnosis. If you are going to have an EEG study you will want to make sure you properly prepare for the test so that your medical team obtains optimal data about your brainwaves. Preparing for an EEG is generally quite easy, but you will want to talk with your doctor to determine exactly what is expected of you during the study.

Computed tomography (CT) scans require preparation on the part of the patient. Your health care team will ask that you do not drink anything for one hour prior to the test. If IV contrast is to be used during the scan, you may be asked not to eat for at least four hours prior to the scan.

What to Tell Your Health Care Team

Be prepared to provide a complete list of any medications you are currently taking, both prescription and nonprescription. If you have had recent or prior CT scans elsewhere, please bring them along for the radiologist to compare with the new scan.

Please be prepared to tell your doctor or radiologist all details concerning the following aspects of your current health, including whether or not:

What to Wear

On the day of the exam, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Metal objects can affect the image, so avoid clothing with zippers and snaps. You must put on a hospital gown and remove watches, jewelry, or any other metal objects you might be wearing (including hairpins, glasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work).