Preparations – CT Urography

If your physician has ordered a CT urography exam from SMIL, you should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.

Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.

In order to distend your urinary bladder, you may be asked to drink water prior to the examination, and also not to urinate until after the scan is complete. However, guidelines about eating and drinking before a CT exam vary with the specific exam and also with the facility.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours before the exam, especially if a contrast material will be used.

You should inform your SMIL radiologist or technologist of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies. If you have a known allergy to contrast material, or "dye," inform your doctor. Based on your allergic history, your doctor may decide to provide medications to reduce the risk of allergic reaction or decide to cancel your exam.

Also inform your SMIL radiologist of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease (particularly congestive heart failure or hypertension), asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, prior organ transplantation, use of chronic NSAIDS (e.g., Motrin), anti-rejection medication or certain antibiotics. Any of these conditions or medications may increase the risk of an unusual adverse effect following the administration of contrast for CT urography.

Women should always inform their SMIL technologist or radiologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.