Imaging Procedures: Purposes and Preparations Before Examination

Imaging procedures ranging from X-ray, Mammography, and Ultrasound to Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are examinations done to find out the condition of the inner body. In order to get the best image of inner body, patients must be well prepared before undergoing any examination. Better preparation ensures the lowest radiation exposed to patients and lower medical cost as patients do not have to repeat the test.

The most common imaging procedure is X-ray. X-ray is often done to determine whether there is any fractured bone. However, normal health condition can also be ruled out by having a chest X-ray. Before performing any X-ray examination, patient must take off any accessories especially those made out of metal on the supposed to be examined body part. X-ray on certain body parts such as chest, thoracic spine and lumbar-sacral spine requires patients to take off their upper body clothing. Females will have to take off their lingerie as well and changed into a robe. Those with long hair should not let their hair fall on their back while undergoing chest X-ray.

Mammography, the only examination performed on women mostly forty years old and above can detect any formation of lump in their breasts. Female below the age of forty are usually advised to do an ultrasound of bilateral breasts instead of a mammography as their breasts are still dense. However, those who did mammography and the findings is dense breasts, they have to perform another ultrasound of bilateral breasts to further confirm there is no lump in the breasts. Patients have to make sure of a few things before they proceed with mammography. They are required to wash their breasts and under arms on the examination. They must not apply any deodorant, perfume, ointment or anything on their breasts and in the under arms area. This is to ensure that the findings would not be affected.

Next, ultrasound can be performed on patients to check on the condition of the internal organs, whether there is any internal bleeding, findings of any gall stones and etc. Those who are going to have an ultrasound on their abdomen should not consume any food at least six hours before the examination. Patients must drink at least 32 ounces of fluid (plain water only) an hour before the appointment should they are about to do ultrasound of pelvic or ultrasound of transvaginal. The same instruction for ultrasound of pelvic and ultrasound of transvaginal applies to those who are going to perform an ultrasound of KUB (kidney, urinary system and bladder). These restrictions and instructions are to make sure the radiologist or ultrasonargrapher has a clear view on the examined body parts.

Even though the radiation exposed while examination is taking place is minimal, one should not perform too many examinations in a day. This is because the radiation kills our body cells. The remaining examinations can be taken a month later after the body recuperated. Unlike X-ray and mammography, there is no limitation as to how many ultrasounds can be done in a day. This is due to ultrasound does not involve the usage of any radiation. Therefore, it is safe for pregnant women as well.

*Note : Expecting mothers must inform the radiographer or X-ray technician about their pregnancy before any examination of X-ray or mammography. This is to avoid any mutation of gene in their unborn baby due to the radiation.