Magnetic Resonance Imaging - uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses to produce images of all parts of the body, including bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels
Prep: No caffeine 4 hr before testing; normal diet, unless pelvic testing (6 hr NPO); no eye makeup; must remove all metal; contraindications include tattoos, permanent makeup, and any metallic implants with iron (e.g., pacemakers, artificial heart valves, aneurysm clips, material associated with metal-related occupation); patient will hear loud tapping during test and must remain still; notify provider if patient has iodine allergies or is claustrophobic.

Full Name: Magnetic resonance imaging
Use: Greatest detail for soft tissues; superior for tumor detection; poor bone imaging
Effects: No known biologic hazards
Cost: $400 to $4,000
Limits: No metal implants or pacemakers; tattoos may blur images
Time: less than 30 minutes
Contrast: Rare allergic reaction in those with liver or kidney disease

Lymphangiography - Lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes

Intravenous urography; intravenous pyelography (IVP) - Radiographic examination of the urinary tract using intravenous injection of an iodinated contrast medium.
Prep: Bowel cleansing and liquid diet 24 hr before with laxatives/cathartics and possibly enema to prevent obstruction of views; NPO 8 hr.

Upper GI series (barium swallow) - Fluoroscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum; barium sulfate is used as a contrast medium and is administered orally.
Prep: NPO and no smoking 8 hr before; if small bowel is included in imaging, instruct on laxative/cathartics use as prescribed; a barium drink is consumed just before testing; afterward, stools are expected to be white or pale; lower GI tests may require repeat imaging after 24 hr.

Lower GI series (barium enema) -fluoroscopic examination of the colon, usually using rectal administration of barium sulfate as a contrast medium.
Prep: Bowel must be emptied before procedure; clear liquid diet 24 hr before test (no milk); laxatives/cathartics day before test; enemas morning of test; increase fluids after test—pale stools and constipation are typical.

Myelography - Fluoroscopic examination of the spinal canal with spinal injection of an iodinated contrast medium.
Prep: NPO 8 hr

Arthrography - Fluoroscopic record of the soft tissue components of joints with direct injection of a contrast medium into the joint capsule.
Prep: NPO 8 hr

Bone scan - fractures, bone growth
Prep: NPO 4 hr before; must void before scan; radioactive material is excreted in urine within 48 hr and is not harmful to others.

Brain scan - vascular problems; commonly tested with SPECT

Liver scan - cirrhosis and hepatitis, liver abscesses

Lung scan - emboli/blood clots in the lungs

Multiple gated acquisition (MUGA) scan - heart's myocardium

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan - CNS disorders by evaluating metabolic activity

Thallium stress test - evaluate cardiac condition and response to stress

Computed Tomography - uses a special x-ray scanner to produce detailed pictures of a cross section of a tissue. The CT scanner consists of a movable table with remote control, a circular gantry (doughnut-shaped portion) structure that supports the x-ray tube and detectors, an operator console with a monitor, and the supporting computer system.
Prep: NPO 4 hr before if IV contrast medium will be used; no metal objects; must lie very still; advise of confined space and possible claustrophobia.

Full Name: Computed axial tomography
Use: Identifies both bone and soft tissue injuries; used more frequently because of decreased time and cost
Effects: Radiation up to 500× that of x-rays
Cost: $400 to $3,200
Limits: Not recommended in pregnancy or for children
Time: Typically less than 5 minutes; speed results in less sensitivity to movement
Contrast: Iodine based; risk of a reaction for those with allergies; may lead to nephropathy

Exposure time (in seconds [s]): The duration of the patient's x-ray exposure; most exposures are less than 1 second, so the total time a patient is exposed to the x-ray is measured in milliseconds. The amount of x-rays produced depends on the length of exposure.

Kilovoltage (kVp): The electrical control setting that determines the penetrating power of the x-ray beam; voltage controls the speed and power of x-ray beams; the higher the voltage, the shorter the x-ray wavelengths and the greater the energy of the x-ray beam.

Milliamperage (mA): The electrical control setting that determines the amount or concentration of the x-rays by controlling how rapidly the radiation is produced;
the higher the mA setting, the more x-rays are produced.

Source-to-image distance (SID): The distance between the x-ray tube and the film or other image receptor; the greater the distance, the more widely the x-ray beam will spread and the lower the intensity of the beam.

1. All examinations that do not require contrast media

2. lab or nuclear medicine procedures that involve iodine uptake

3. CT studies with IV contrast

6. Fiberoptic studies

7. CT studies of the abdomen or pelvis
   

Angiocardiography - or cardiac catheterization, is used to display the coronary arteries.

Mammography and Tomosynthesis
Prep: Scheduled the first week after a menstrual cycle; shower beforehand—no deodorant, talcum powder, or lotion; avoid caffeine 7-10 days before testing. Explain that the position is uncomfortable (breast is sandwiched between two plates) but should take only a short time to complete.

Angiography [arteriogram (artery) or venogram (vein)] - performed with an iodine dye to visualize blood vessels.
Prep: Clear liquids 24 hr before test; NPO 8 hr before test; if abdominal vasculature is to be imaged, patient may need laxative/cathartics and enemas.