VCU Department of Radiology

CT Scan

General CT Exam

Patient preparation: patients having an interventional CT exam should see the specific prep instructions.

1. Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) must be withheld for 48 hours after receiving iodinated contrast. If the patient’s blood sugar control does not allow for withholding Metformin, call (804) 828-6262.
2. If the patient has had a previous allergic reaction to IV contrast, call (804) 828-6262.
3. If the patient’s creatinine level is above 1.5 – except those on chronic dialysis – call (804) 828-6262.
4. When necessary, the appropriate oral contrast will be dispensed by the radiology department prior to the exam time.
5. Full liquid diet on the day of the exam. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
6. Infusing IV access with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
7. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.

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CT Angiography

1. Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) must be withheld for 48 hours after receiving iodinated contrast. If the patient’s blood sugar control does not allow for withholding Metformin, call (804) 828-5555.
2. If the patient has had a previous allergic reaction to IV contrast, call (804) 828-5555.
3. If the patient’s creatinine level is above 1.5 – except those on chronic dialysis – call (804) 828-5555.
4. When necessary, the appropriate oral contrast will be dispensed by the radiology department prior to the exam time.
5. Full liquid diet on the day of the exam. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
6. Infusing IV with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
7. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.

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CT-guided Aspiration

1. Advance scheduling is required for all interventional CT exams. Call (804) 828-5555.
2. Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) must be withheld for 48 hours after receiving iodinated contrast. If the patient’s blood sugar control does not allow for withholding Metformin, call (804) 828-5555.
3. If the patient has had a previous allergic reaction to IV contrast, call (804) 828-5555.
4. If the patient’s creatinine level is above 1.5 – except for those on chronic dialysis – call (804) 828-5555.
5. Patient should have nothing to eat or drink for eight hours prior to the exam time except a small sip of water with routine medications. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
6. Infusing IV with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
7. Current lab results for APTT, INR, PLT and PT.
8. If patient uses D/C anticoagulants, consult with radiologist (804) 828-5555.
9. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.
10. Consent form to be signed in radiology.

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CT-guided Biopsy

1. Advance scheduling is required for all interventional CT exams. Call (804) 828-5555.
2. Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) must be withheld for 48 hours after receiving iodinated contrast. If the patient’s blood sugar control does not allow for withholding Metformin, call (804) 828-5555.
3. If the patient has had a previous allergic reaction to IV contrast, call (804) 828-5555.
4. If the patient’s creatinine level is above 1.5 – except those on chronic dialysis – call (804) 828-5555.
5. Patient should have nothing to eat or drink for eight hours prior to the exam time except a small sip of water with routine medications. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
6. Infusing IV with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
7. Current lab results for APTT, INR, PLT and PT.
8. If patient uses D/C anticoagulants, consult with radiologist at (804) 828-5555.
9. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.
10. Consent form to be signed in radiology.

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CT-guided Drainage

1. Advance scheduling is required for all interventional CT exams. Call (804) 828-5555.
2. Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) must be withheld for 48 hours after receiving iodinated contrast. If the patient’s blood sugar control does not allow for withholding Metformin, call (804) 828-5555.
3. If the patient has had a previous allergic reaction to IV contrast, call (804) 828-5555.
4. If the patient’s creatinine level is above 1.5 – except those on chronic dialysis – call (804) 828-5555.
5. Patient should have nothing to eat or drink for eight hours prior to the exam time except a small sip of water with routine medications. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
6. Infusing IV with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
7. Current lab results for APTT, INR, PLT and PT.
8. If patient uses D/C anticoagulants, consult with radiologist at (804) 828-5555.
9. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.
10. Consent form to be signed in radiology.

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CT-guided Localization

1. Advance scheduling is required for all interventional CT exams. Call (804) 828-5555.
2. Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) must be withheld for 48 hours after receiving iodinated contrast. If the patient’s blood sugar control does not allow for withholding Metformin, call (804) 828-5555.
3. If the patient has had a previous allergic reaction to IV contrast, call (804) 828-5555.
4. If the patient’s creatinine level is above 1.5 – except those on chronic dialysis – call (804) 828-5555.
5. Patient should have nothing to eat or drink for eight hours prior to the exam time except a small sip of water with routine medications. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
6. Infusing IV with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
7. Current lab results for APTT, INR, PLT and PT.
8. If patient uses D/C anticoagulants, consult with radiologist at (804) 828-5555.
9. Consent form to be signed in radiology.
10. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.

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CT-guided Tumor Ablation

1. Advance scheduling is required for all interventional CT exams. Call (804) 828-5555.
2. Metformin (Glucophage or Glucovance) must be withheld for 48 hours after receiving iodinated contrast. If the patient’s blood sugar control does not allow for withholding Metformin, call (804) 828-5555.
3. If the patient has had a previous allergic reaction to IV contrast, call (804) 828-5555.
4. If the patient’s creatinine level is above 1.5 – except those on chronic dialysis – call (804) 828-5555.
5. Patient should have nothing to eat or drink for eight hours prior to the exam time except a small sip of water with routine medications. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
6. Infusing IV with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
7. Current lab results for APTT, INR, PLT and PT.
8. If patient uses D/C anticoagulants, consult with radiologist at (804) 828-5555.
9. Consent form to be signed in radiology.
10. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.

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• Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center | School of Medicine | Department of Radiology
• 1101 East Marshall Street, Room 4-052 | Richmond, Virginia 23298
• Phone: (804) 828-6600 | Fax: (804) 828-6129 | E-mail: raddept@vcu.edu
• Updated: 07/01/2008

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