CT exams fall into five general categories.

The preparation instructions for each is listed below.

• Do not eat or drink 4 hours prior to your exam, with the exception of plain water or clear liquids.
  
  
• Taking medication is allowed.
  
  

• You do not need to do anything to prepare for your exam.

• The most important part of any CT colonography happens before you come to the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center. To get a good look at the lining of the colon, it is necessary to clean out any traces of food or other material.
  
  
• This means you must maintain a restricted diet the day before your exam and take colon-cleaning medications.
  
  
• A prep-kit with detailed instructions and the medication you need to take before your exam is available from us.
  
  
• You can either pick up this prep-kit in person, or request that it be mailed to you. To request a prep-kit, or for more information, call (310) 423-3266.
  
  
• It is important that you carefully follow the instructions given with the prep-kit.
  
  
• If you have diabetes: please contact us before you begin the prep-kit: (310) 423-3266.
  
  

This scan does not require contrast.

• Do not eat or drink 12 ours prior to exam with the exception of non-caloric liquids such as black coffee, diet soft drinks, plain water and tea.

CT contrast is sometimes given for this exam.

PET scans require careful preparation, so please follow instructions carefully.

(Diabetics should discuss the preparations with their doctor.)

• 24 hours prior to your appointment
  
  
  • Refrain from consuming any caffeine, including any decaffeinated products for 24 hours prior to your exam. Note: Decaffeinated products still contain small amounts of caffeine.
    
    
• 12 hours prior to your appointment
  
  
  • Stay on a low-carbohydrate diet. (See below for a guide on what to eat.)
  • Do NOT engage in any strenuous exercise.
  • Do NOT chew gum.
  • Avoid mints.

• 6 hours prior to your appointment:
  
  
  • Do NOT eat anything.
  • Drink several glasses of water (2-6).
  • Take any prescribed medications as usual.
  • If you need to eat, please stick to a small protein-only meal.
  • If you are diabetic, please consult your doctor for questions regarding diet and medication.
    
    
• Low-Carbohydrate Diet Guide:
  
  Foods allowed:
  
  

  All meats		Tofu
  Hard cheeses		Eggs
  Unsweetened peanut butter		Oil, margarine, butter
  Diet soda (be careful to avoid caffeine or decaffeinated sodas.)		Non-starchy vegetables (such as: broccoli, spinach, green beans.)

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  Foods not allowed:

  Cereals		Breads
  Pasta		Rice
  Dry beans		Gravies
  Fruit and fruit juices		Jams and jellies
  Sugar and candy		Honey
  Starchy vegetables (such as: peas, corn, potatoes)		Milk (including non-dairy milk)
  Alcohol		Coffee or Tea