Abdominal X-ray

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To evaluate for kidney or gall stones or intestinal obstruction

Preparing for an Exam: No advance preparation is necessary.

What to Expect

  • The patient may stand, sit or lie down, depending on the clinical condition and the body part being imaged.
  • The exam takes about 20 minutes.


Bone X-ray

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To evaluate for broken bones or arthritis

Preparing for an Exam: No advance preparation is necessary.

What to Expect

  • The patient may stand, sit or lie down, depending on clinical condition and the body part being imaged.
  • The exam takes about 20 minutes.


Chest X-ray

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To evaluate for heart and lung disease

Preparing for an Exam: No advance preparation is necessary.

What to Expect

  • The patient may stand, sit or lie down, depending on clinical condition and the body part being imaged.
  • The exam takes about 20 minutes.


Arthrogram

What It Is: A "real-time" (moving) image that is enhanced with injected contrast

Why Your Doctor May Request It

  • To evaluate for tendon and ligament injuries
  • May be performed in conjunction with an MRI exam

Preparing for an Exam: No advance preparation is necessary.

What to Expect

  • The patient wears a gown and lies on padded table with the joint undergoing evaluation exposed.
  • This is a sterile procedure. The radiologist cleans the area and numbs the skin.
  • A needle is inserted into the joint and contrast is injected. Then x-ray or MRI images are taken.
  • The exam takes 45 minutes to an hour.


Barium Study

What It Is: A "real-time" (moving) image that is enhanced with a barium suspension

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To evaluate for ulcers, inflammatory disease, obstruction and masses of the esophagus, stomach and intestines

Preparing for an Exam

    ESOPHAGRAM, UPPER GI SERIES, OR SMALL BOWEL SERIES:
  • The patient should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the exam.

    BARIUM ENEMA:
  • The patient follows a liquid diet the day before the exam (eight 8-oz glasses of water, fruit juice, coffee, tea, clear soup, or jello)
  • At 6 p.m. on the evening before the study, the patient cleanses bowel using one of the following methods:
    1) Take Golytely (available through prescription) as directed on bottle. One hour later, take 2 Ducolax tablets (available over the counter).
    OR
    2) Drink one bottle of Citrate of Magnesia (available over the counter).
  • No solids or liquids after midnight.

What to Expect

    ESOPHAGRAM, Upper GI series, or Small bowel series:
  • The patient drinks barium contrast (and sometimes an additional carbonated liquid).
  • The patient may lie down, sit up or move about as directed during the exam.
  • The radiologist uses a fluoroscope to observe the barium moving through the patient's digestive system.
  • X-rays are taken during the exam.
  • After the study, the patient is encouraged to drink liquids to flush the contrast from the system.
  • An esophagram or upper GI series can take 45 minutes to an hour. A small bowel series can take up to three hours.

    BARIUM ENEMA
  • The patient lies on padded table.
  • Barium contrast is administered rectally.
  • The radiologist observes the contrast as it moves through the patient's colon.
  • Images are taken during the exam.
  • The exam takes 45 minutes to an hour.


Hysterosalpingogram

What It Is: A "real-time" (moving) image that is enhanced with injected contrast

Why Your Doctor May Request It: To examine the endometrium and fallopian tubes for evaluation of infertility (primarily in young women)

Preparing for an Exam: The patient takes her usual medication for menstrual cramps one hour before the procedure.

What to Expect

  • The patient wears gown and lies on padded table with her feet in stirrups.
  • The radiologist inserts a speculum, similar to a gynecologic exam.
  • A small sterile tube is inserted into the cervix, and a small amount of contrast is injected through the tube into the endometrium.
  • The fluoroscope is positioned and x-rays are taken.
  • During the procedure, minimal cramping may occur, as one might expect from a menstrual period.
  • The exam takes about 30 minutes.