Patients

Test Preparation Instructions

Preparation instructions for all diagnostic imaging exams at Merivale Medical Imaging. Please follow the specific instructions provided when your appointment is confirmed.

Clinic Policies

Before You Arrive

Please review our clinic policies before your appointment.

Respectful Environment

Merivale Medical Imaging is committed to a safe and respectful environment. Aggressive behaviour, harassment, intimidation, or inappropriate language toward staff or other patients will not be tolerated.

Mobile Device Policy

To protect patient privacy and confidentiality, the use of cellular phones and recording devices is not permitted within the clinic. Please power off all mobile devices upon arrival.

Scent-Free Environment

Merivale Medical Imaging maintains a scent-free environment. Many patients and staff are sensitive to fragrances. Please refrain from wearing perfumes or strongly scented products.

Preparation Instructions

Exam Preparation by Modality

Find your exam type below. If you have questions about your specific preparation instructions, contact Merivale Medical Imaging before your appointment.

MRI CT Ultrasound BMD / DEXA Mammography X-Ray Nuclear Medicine

MRI

Procedure	Duration	Preparation
MRI Abdomen	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink). Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Liver	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink). Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Kidney	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink). Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Pancreas	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink). Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Adrenals	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink). Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Rectum	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink). Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Fistula	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink). Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Pelvis	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink). Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Enterography	Varies	Fast for 4 hours. Start drinking 5 cups (40 oz / 1.25 L) of water 2 hours before your exam. Finish drinking at least 1 hour before your appointment. Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.
MRI Cardiac	Varies	Fast for 4 hours. No caffeine or nicotine on exam day. Avoid erectile dysfunction medications (Cialis, Viagra, etc.) for 72 hours prior. Shave chest hair if necessary. Do not wear jewellery, hair pins, or piercings. Wear loose clothing with no metal.

Procedure	Duration	Preparation
CT Chest	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (water allowed). No need to hold urine. Arrive 30 minutes early (unless otherwise instructed).
CT Abdomen/Pelvis	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (water allowed). No need to hold urine. Arrive 30 minutes early (unless otherwise instructed).
CT Liver	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (water allowed). No need to hold urine. Arrive 30 minutes early (unless otherwise instructed).
CT Renal Mass	Varies	Fast for 4 hours (water allowed). No need to hold urine. Arrive 30 minutes early (unless otherwise instructed).
CT Kidneys	Varies	Fast for 4 hours. Drink 1 liter of water starting 1 hour before your scan. Arrive 45 minutes early.
CT Pancreas	Varies	Fast for 4 hours. Drink 1 liter of water starting 1 hour before your scan. Arrive 45 minutes early.
CT Enterography	Varies	Fast for 4 hours. Drink 1 liter of water. Arrive 45 minutes early.
CT Abdomen/Pelvis (Specific Indications)	Varies	Fast for 4 hours. Arrive 1 hour early to drink oral contrast/water. For specific indications: gastric bypass, bowel obstruction, post-op surgery, fistula, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, or to rule out a small/colonic mass.
CT Cardiac Contrast Study / Calcium Scoring	Varies	Fast for 4 hours. No caffeine or nicotine on exam day. Avoid erectile dysfunction medications for 72 hours prior. If heart rate is greater than 65 bpm, arrive 1 hour early to take Metoprolol (please confirm no allergies with staff). Shave chest hair if needed.

Ultrasound

General Ultrasound Vascular Echocardiogram Elastography

Procedure	Duration	Preparation
Abdominal / Pelvis (Male)	45 Mins	Nothing to eat x 4 hours AND finish drinking 32 oz (4 cups) of water 45 minutes prior to arrival time. Do NOT empty bladder.
Abdominal / Pelvis / TVP (Female)	60 Mins	Nothing to eat x 4 hours AND finish drinking 32 oz (~4 cups) of water 45 minutes prior to test. Do NOT empty bladder.
Abdominal	30 Mins	Nothing to eat/drink x 4 hours prior to arrival time. Do NOT chew gum or smoke x 2 hours prior to arrival time.
ABIs (Ankle Brachial Index)	30 Mins	NO PREP.
Arterial Doppler (arms)	60 Mins	NO PREP.
Arterial Doppler (legs)	80 Mins	Nothing to eat/drink x 4 hours prior to arrival time. Do NOT chew gum or smoke x 2 hours prior to arrival time.
AAA	30 Mins	Nothing to eat/drink x 4 hours prior to arrival time. Do NOT chew gum or smoke x 2 hours prior to arrival time.
Carotid Doppler	30 Mins	NO PREP.
Echocardiogram	60 Mins	NO PREP.
Extremity	15 – 30 Mins	NO PREP.
Musculoskeletal (MSK)	15 – 30 Mins	NO PREP.
Obstetrical	30 – 45 Mins	Finish drinking 20 oz (~2.5 cups) of water 45 minutes prior to arrival time and do NOT empty bladder.
Pelvis (Male)	30 Mins	Finish drinking 32 oz (~4 cups) of water 45 minutes prior to arrival time and do NOT empty bladder.
Pelvis / Groin	30 Mins	Finish drinking 32 oz (~4 cups) of water 45 minutes prior to arrival time and do NOT empty bladder.
Pelvis / TRP (Transrectal)	30 Mins	Take a fleet enema or glycerine suppository 2 hours prior to your arrival time AND finish drinking 32 oz (~4 cups) of water 45 minutes prior to arrival time. Do NOT empty bladder.
Pelvis / TVP (Transvaginal)	30 Mins	Finish drinking 32 oz (~4 cups) of water 45 minutes prior to arrival time and DO NOT empty bladder.
Portal Venous Doppler	30 Mins	Nothing to eat/drink x 4 hours prior to arrival time. Do NOT chew gum or smoke x 2 hours prior to arrival time.
Renal Doppler for Hypertension	30 – 45 Mins	Nothing to eat/drink x 4 hours prior to arrival time. Do NOT chew gum or smoke x 2 hours prior to arrival time.
Salivary Glands	30 Mins	NO PREP.
Scrotal	45 Mins	NO PREP.
Thyroid / Neck	30 Mins	NO PREP.
Venous for DVT (Both Sides)	30 Mins	NO PREP.
Venous for DVT (Single Side)	30 Mins	NO PREP.
Venous for Reflux (Single Side)	30 Mins	NO PREP.
Venous for Reflux (Both Sides)	30 Mins	NO PREP.

Bone Mineral Density (BMD / DEXA)

Procedure	Duration	Preparation
Bone Mineral Density	20 Mins	Do NOT take calcium supplements the day of your test. Wear clothing without metal, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc. Bring a list of current medications. Do NOT schedule your BMD within 2 weeks of having a CT or MRI with dye.

Mammography

Procedure	Duration	Preparation
Mammography	20 – 30 Mins	NO PREP. Book within first 14 days of menstrual cycle. Wear 2 piece outfit for convenience. Do NOT use antiperspirants, deodorants, or lotion in the underarm or breast area.

X-Ray

Procedure	Duration	Preparation
X-Ray	10 – 60 Mins	NO PREP.

Nuclear Medicine

Procedure	Duration	Preparation
Bone Scan	Part 1: 15 – 30 Mins; Part 2: 30 – 90 Mins	NO PREP. Drink 25 – 35 oz (3 – 4 cups) of fluid between Part 1 and Part 2.
Gastric Emptying Study	4 – 5 Hrs	Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. No smoking the morning of your test. Bring a list of current medications. If you are a diabetic please bring your glucose monitor and insulin.
Myocardial Perfusion Study: Rest Study (Part 1)	1 – 2 Hrs	NO PREP. Bring list of current medications.
Myocardial Perfusion Study: Stress Study (Part 2)	2 – 3 Hrs	Nothing to eat / drink x 4 hours (diabetics x 3 hours). No caffeine x 12 hours. May need to discontinue some medications as directed by technologist during Part 1.