Preparing for Your General Radiology Exam

Please leave any personal belongings (jewelry, glasses, etc.) at home when having an outpatient exam performed at any of our facilities to avoid misplacement.

• For x-rays of the chest, abdomen, spine or extremities: No special preparation is necessary.
• For a barium swallow: Do not eat after midnight before the exam. You may take routine medications with a sip of water before the exam.
• For a barium enema: Obtain Miralax 255g (one bottle), available at most pharmacies, two days prior to your exam.  Mix with 64 ounces of clear liquid. Drink eight ounces every 10 to 15 minutes over two hours starting at 6 p.m., the evening prior to your exam. Single contrast enema exams for patients who are pre-operative for reversal of ostomy do not need a prep.
• For a small bowel series: Do not eat after midnight before your exam.
• For an upper GI series: Do not eat after midnight before your exam.