About Your Exam

Special Procedures

IVP
An IVP or intravenous pyelogram is a special x-ray of the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters and the bladder. A special dye, known as the contrast will be given through an IV. The contrast passes through the urinary tract and an x-ray is taken. Your doctor will provide you with specific instructions on how to prepare for your test. You will be given medication to take for the two days prior to your exam. Do not eat solid food after 6:00 p.m. the evening before the exam. You can have unlimited clear liquids. This includes coffee without milk, tea, water, soft drinks, clear soup, and plain Jello.

Barium Enema
A barium enema or BE is a special x-ray of the lower digestive tract, colon or large intestine. The liquid barium preparation, given by enema, makes the colon and rectum visible by x-ray. You will be given a bowel evacuant kit prior to your exam. Please follow these instructions carefully. If your bowel is not clear, you will be rescheduled for another day. You will start with only clear liquids the morning before your exam. This includes coffee without milk, tea, water, soft drinks, clear soup and plain Jello.

Upper GI and Small Bowel Follow-Through
GI stands for gastrointestinal, commonly known as the digestive system. An upper GI test is used to evaluate your esophagus and stomach. A small bowel follow through is used to evaluate the small intestine. For both of these tests, do not eat or drink anything after midnight, on the night before your exam.

Gallbladder Study
Your physician may order an x-ray or ultrasound study of your gallbladder. For either exam, you will be given tablets to take at 8:00 p.m. the evening before the exam. Do not eat or drink anything until after your exam, except the water you drink to take the tablets.

Other Special Procedures
The following procedures do not require special preparations. If you have any questions about a test, ask your physician or call LRA.

• Arthrogram
• Cystogram / VCU
• Esophagus / Barium Swallow
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
• Sialogram
• T-tube cholangiogram
• Venogram