Information for Patients

Fluoroscopy (GI, barium studies)

Barium Enema

Important note: Physicians may modify any prep containing laxatives for patients with diarrhea, rectal bleeding or severe bowel inflammation. If any modifications are necessary, call (804) 828-5498 and speak with a radiologist.

Adult
On the day before the exam:

  1. Noon – Begin a light diet.
  2. 2 p.m. – Take 45ml of Fleet Phospho-soda and drink two to three glasses of water.
  3. 7 p.m. – Begin a clear liquid diet.

On the day of the exam:

  1. 7 a.m. – Fleet enema and continue a clear liquid diet.

Pediatric
Please note: There is no prep for infants weighing less than 20 lbs.

On the day before the exam for patients weighing more than 20 lbs:

  1. Begin clear liquid diet 24 hours prior to the exam time.
  2. Refer to the age chart below to dispense magnesium citrate:

2 p.m. – Less than six years old: 4ml of magnesium citrate per kg of weight.
2 p.m. – Six to 12 years old: single dose of 125ml of magnesium citrate.
2 p.m. – 12 to 18 years old: single dose of 225ml of magnesium citrate.

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Defecography

  1. No bowel prep needed.
  2. Patient does not need to be NPO.

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Esophogram

  1. If patient weighs less than 45 pounds:
    nothing to eat or drink for six hours prior to the exam.
  2. If patient weighs more than 45 pounds:
    nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before the exam.
  3. No smoking from midnight the night before the exam.

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Enteroclysis

  1. If the patient weighs less than 45 pounds:
    nothing to eat or drink for six hours prior to the exam.
  2. If the patient weighs more than 45 pounds:
    nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before the exam.
  3. No smoking from midnight the night before the exam.
  4. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.
  5. Study does entail insertion of nasalduodenal tube.

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Fistulogram

No prep necessary.

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GI Feeding Tube Placement

No prep necessary.

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Ileoanal Pouchogram

No prep necessary.

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Intravenous Pyelogram – IVP

Important note: Physicians may modify any prep containing laxatives for patients with diarrhea, rectal bleeding or severe bowel inflammation. If any modifications are necessary, call (804) 828-5498.

Adult
On the day before the exam:

  1. 2 p.m. – Take 45 mL of Fleets Phospho Soda and two to three glasses of water.
  2. 5 p.m. – Begin a clear liquid diet.

On the day of the exam:

  1. Patient should have nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before the exam except a small amount of water with routine medications. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to priority level requirements.
  2. Infusing IV with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
  3. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.

Pediatric
Note: There is no prep for infants under 20 pounds. If the patient weighs more than 20 pounds:

  1. Liquid diet for four hours prior to the exam time.
  2. Infusing IV with extension tubing to be placed above the wrist prior to transport to radiology.
  3. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.

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Modified Barium Swallow

  1. Study done in conjunction with speech therapist.
  2. No prep necessary.

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Myelogram – cervical, thoracic or lumbar

  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) 628-2927
  2. If the patient has had a previous allergic reaction to IV contrast, call (804) 628-2927.
  3. Plenty of fluids for 12 hours prior to the exam time.
  4. Full liquid diet for four hours prior to the exam time. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
  5. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.

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T-Tube Cholangiogram

  1. Patient should have nothing to eat or drink for four hours prior to the exam time except a small amount of water with routine medications. Changes to this prep will only be allowed due to the priority level requirements.
  2. Patient to void prior to transport to radiology.
  3. Transplant patients need antibiotic coverage prior to study.

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Upper GI Series

  1. If patient weighs less than 45 pounds:
    nothing to eat or drink for six hours prior to the exam.
  2. If patient weighs more than 45 pounds:
    nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before the exam.
  3. No smoking from midnight the night before the exam.
  4. May take oral medication with small sip of water at least two hours prior to exam.

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Upper GI/Small Bowel Series

  1. If patient weighs less than 45 pounds:
    nothing to eat or drink for six hours prior to the exam.
  2. If patient weighs more than 45 pounds:
    nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before the exam.
  3. No smoking from midnight the night before the exam.
  4. May take oral medication with small sip of water at least two hours prior to exam.
  5. Study takes longer than Upper GI Series. Patient should be prepared to stay in department at least two hours after the examination begins.

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VCU Department of Radiology Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Medical Center