Mass General West Imaging - Patient Prep Guidelines

ALL EXAMS ( Download this file in .pdf )

MASS GENERAL WEST IMAGING
40 Second Avenue
The PARC Center
Suite 100 (Diagnostic Services)
Suite 120 (CT/MRI Services)
Suite 130 (Bone Densitometry and Screening Mammography)
Waltham, MA 02451
Exit 27B off Route 95/128

MRI
CT (CAT Scan)
Ultrasound
Gastrointestinal Examinations
Nuclear Medicine Procedures

Welcome to Mass General West Imaging, a state of the art imaging center staffed by Radiologists and Technologists of the Massachusetts General Hospital. We provide the highest standard of medical imaging service and interpretation that you have come to expect from MGH in a modern, convenient suburban setting. We want you, our patients, to be well informed about your imaging studies and have prepared this web site for you to read prior to your arrival in our department.

MRI: MRI is an imaging modality that works without radiation. It creates a magnetic field, and a computer generates images that can be interpreted by a radiologist. There are no special preparations for this examination, however some patients cannot have this type of imaging due to pacemakers or metallic objects in their body. If you have any type of metal implanted in your body, let the technologist know before your scan. If you have a pacemaker, you cannot have a MRI examination, and your doctor will discuss alternative imaging options with you.

NOTE: IF HAVING AN MRCP (MRI) EXAM, NPO (NOTHING BY MOUTH) FOR 6 HOURS PRIOR TO EXAM.

CT: CT is a computer aided X-ray machine that generates cross sectional pictures of the body. With our state of the art equipment, the actual test will only take a few minutes. If you are pregnant, you should not have this test unless there are special circumstances. You will most likely receive an injection of a special liquid to help the radiologist better visualize your internal structures. If your abdomen is being imaged, you may also need to have a drink to better visualize your intestines. If you have an allergy to iodine, or x ray contrast, please discuss this with your physician and let us know prior to the day of your appointment. If you have severe asthma or sickle cell disease, please also let us know when you arrive in the department.

Preparation: Nothing to eat for two hours prior to the examination if your abdomen is being imaged. Otherwise, just drink plenty of fluids on the day of your examination.

ULTRASOUND: Ultrasound imaging utilizes sound waves to make pictures. There is no radiation. Warm gel is used to make better contact between the body part being imaged and the imaging wand. The examination takes between 10-20 minutes, depending on the type of examination.

Preparation:

Abdominal Ultrasound: Nothing to eat for 8 hours before
Renal Ultrasound (Kidneys): Full bladder
Extremity: No special preparation
Thyroid: No special preparation

GASTROINTESTINAL EXAMINATIONS: Imaging of the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and colon are performed in the fluoroscopy suite where X ray pictures are taken with a special TV camera on a movable table.

BARIUM SWALLOW/UPPER GI: You will be asked to drink a fizzy/gassy liquid to open up your stomach like a balloon. You will then drink Barium, an inert substance that can be seen on X ray, and the radiologist will take pictures while you drink in different positions. The test takes approximately 10 minutes.

Preparation: Nothing to eat 8 hours before.

BARIUM ENEMA:

Preparation: You will purchase a Fleet’s Gold preparation kit at your local pharmacy at least three days prior to your examination and follow the instructions carefully. In the fluoroscopy suite, you will first have an X-ray taken to determine if your colon is adequately cleaned out to proceed with the test. If so, a small tube will be inserted into your rectum and a tiny balloon will be inflated to hold it in place. Liquid barium will then be instilled into your colon via a tube, until your colon is full. (You will feel as though you need to have a bowel movement). Pictures will be taken. The liquid is then drained, leaving a thin coating along the bowel wall. Air is then gently instilled into the colon to expand it. More pictures will be taken. (You may experience some mild cramping during this phase). The tube is then removed and a final picture is taken after you use the bathroom.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE PROCEDURES

Bone Scan
Liver/Spleen Scan
Hepatobiliary Scan
Radionuclide Cystography RNC or VCUG
Gastric Emptying Scans
Meckel’s Scan and Scans for the Detection of Bleeding

Using radiopharmaceuticals, a Nuclear Medicine scan can provide an accurate diagnosis for a variety of acquired and congenital disorders.

BONE SCAN (Whole Body or Limited)

Patients are injected early in the day approximately 8:30 to 11:30 am. Optimum imaging is at 2 to 4 hours post injection. Patients should be kept well hydrated and encouraged to empty their bladder just prior to imaging. Examination time is about one hour.

LIVER/SPLEEN SCAN
This procedure is intended primarily to be used for detection (or monitoring) of disorders which disrupt the organ architecture. Generally no patient preparation is needed. Imaging is begun 15 minutes after the injection. Imaging time is about 30 to 40 minutes.

HEPATOBILIARY SCAN
Patient must be fasting (NPO) for a least 4 hours. Imaging is begun with the injection. A series of images may be obtained at 2 hours, 4 hours and 24 hours. Patients booked for hepatobiliary studies with the question of biliary atresia or neonatal hepatitis do not need to be NPO.

RADIONUCLIDE CYSTOGRAPHY RNC OR VCUG
This test has been proven to be a safe and effective technique for the detection of vesicouretal reflux in patients with UTI (urinary tract infection), follow –up of known reflux, post operative assessment and evaluation of siblings of children with reflux. This test does require uretheral catherization. Examination time is between 30 to 40 minutes. Please feel free to call us at 781-890-2627, Mass General West Imaging, and we will be happy to answer any questions or concerns.

GASTRIC EMPTYING SCANS
Patient must be fasting for a least 4 hours prior to the examination. Imaging is carried out for 2 hours after the administration of the radioactive meal. Parents are to bring a bottle of formula/milk for their infants. In older children, a peanut butter sandwich or scrambled egg, or a bagel with cream cheese and juice will be given. If your child is allergic to peanut butter or is a fussy eater, please do not hesitate to call the department and speak with the technologist. We are more than happy to consult with you regarding your child’s likes and dislikes. You can reach us 781-890-2627, Mass General West Imaging.

MECKEL’S SCAN AND SCANS FOR THE DETECTION OF BLEEDING
The patient must be fasting (NPO) at least 4 hour before the exam. No studies involving barium should have been done in the last 48 hours. Imaging time is 40 minutes.