Diagnostic X-Ray Procedures
Instructions for Your Test or Procedure
NOTE: We are pleased to provide standard instructions regarding your test or procedure. Please contact your physician to discuss your individual needs and medical circumstances before you proceed.
Diagnostic X-Ray Procedure: Examination of the Colon
(Barium Enema or Air Contrast Barium Enema)
Note: This preparation is not to be used if you are known to have ulcerative
or granulomatous colitis or thought to have a bowel obstruction or appendicitis.
Consult your physician or Imaging Center staff for appropriate instructions.
All of the necessary items can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy.
Two Days Before Your Procedure
Two days before the examination, have only a MINIMAL RESIDUE diet (see below) for breakfast and lunch. Have a CLEAR LIQUID diet for dinner. Drink at least eight glasses of water that day.
The Day Before Your Procedure
At 2:00 p.m. on the day before the examination take two ounces (four tablespoons) of Caster Oil.
At 7:00 p.m. on the evening before the examination take 4 Dulcolax tablets, 5 mg. each. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed.
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
The Morning of Your Procedure
Take 1 Dulcolax suppository, 10 mg., at 6:00 a.m. on the morning of the examination.
Dietary Instructions:
Clear Liquid Diet
Water, ice, tea, coffee (regular or decaffeinated), carbonated beverages,
clear bouillion, consume, broth, plain gelatin desserts, non-milk sherbet,
juices (apple, grape, lemonade), sugar and salt
Light Lunch or Light Supper
Choice of: sliced chicken or turkey, sliced beef, eggs, cottage cheese;
potato without skin or white bread; butter, mayonnaise or jelly; tea,
coffee (regular or decaffeinated) with cream or milk and sugar if desired;
gelatin, applesauce or fruit juice.
Minimal Residue Diet
Milk: one cup daily, including that used in cooking. More than one cup of milk
or milk beverage daily is NOT allowed.
Other beverages: tea, coffee (regular or decaffeinated), powdered fruit
drinks, carbonated beverages
Eggs: hard cooked. Raw or soft cooked eggs NOT allowed.
Meats: broiled, baked, roasted chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, veal, liver, white
fish; crisp bacon. Fried or highly seasoned items such as prepared luncheon
meats and cheese are NOT allowed.
Cereal: refined such as farina, rice, cream of rice, Rice Krispies, cornflakes,
plain macaroni, noodles, spaghetti. Meat or tomato sauces are NOT allowed.
Vegetables: white potato without skin. All other vegetables are NOT allowed.
Desserts: clear gelatin without fruit, angel cake and non-milk sherbet.
Fats: butter, margarine, crisp bacon, cream is part of milk allowance. All
others are NOT allowed.
Seasonings: clear broth or bouillon, sugar, honey, pure sugar candy, jelly, corn
syrup, salt, pepper in small amounts. All others are NOT allowed.
NOTE: We are pleased to provide standard instructions regarding your test or procedure. Please contact your physician to discuss your individual needs and medical circumstances before you proceed.
Preparing for your Upper GI Series, Small Bowel Series or Esophograms (Barium Swallows)
Note: The time it takes to perform a Small Bowel Series varies from patient to patient, ranging from half-an-hour to four or more hours.
The Night Before Your Procedure
Children age two years and above should not have anything to eat or drink after midnight before test.
Adults should not have anything to eat or drink after midnight before the test.
Babies should skip last feeding; usually four hours before exam.
Preparation for Intravenous Pyleogram (IVP; a Contrast X-ray of the Kidneys, Ureters and Urinary Bladder)
The Night Before Your Procedure
Have only clear liquids the night before the test.
