Diagnostic Imaging
HealthStar Physicians updated the diagnostic imaging equipment in 2017 to provide patients with the latest in medical technology. The update includes wide-angle 3D Mammography, MRI, and CT technology. Imaging studies are read by experienced, Board-Certified Radiologists who also read studies for hospitals in the Knoxville area.
Imaging Studies & Instructions:
Nuclear Medicine
Bone Scan (whole body or limited)
Must arrive at your appointment time for injection (this should take about 10 minutes). Leave and then return for a 30 minute scan in approximately 3 hours. No other prep necessary.
Bone scan (three phase)
Must arrive at your appointment time for an injection and a 30 minute scan. Leave and then return in approximately three hours for the last 30 minute scan. No other prep necessary.
Gastric emptying study
No food or drink for six hours prior to the exam. You must bring a cup of scrambled eggs or oatmeal with you (no other foods are acceptable). This test takes 90 minutes.
Hida scan
Nothing to eat or drink for six hours prior to test. This exam takes 90 minutes.
Renal scan (baseline)
No prep necessary. This exam takes approximately 45 minutes.
Muga scan
No food or drink after midnight. Arrive at your appointment time for an injection and return in one hour for a 20 minute scan.
Exercise only stress test (EST)
Arrive at your appointment time for exam. You should wear comfortable clothing and shoes. This exam takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Nuclear stress test (MPS, PST)
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. No coffee on the morning of the test. It is okay to take your regular medication on the morning of the exam except for nitroglycerin or insulin. You should wear comfortable clothing and shoes. This test takes approximately four hours to complete. You will get a break to go out for breakfast before the second half of the test begins.
Thyroid uptake
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Arrive at your appointment time and you will be given a radioactive pill you will leave and return in approximately four hours for a 30 minute scan. You will return the next morning for your final 30 minute scan.
Thyroid therapy (I-131)
Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior to the test. Arrive at your appointment time and you will be given a radioactive pill. You will be instructed as to the precautions you should exercise for the next 48 hours by the nuclear technologist.
CT Studies
CT Head/ Brain
Time: 15-30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior
CT Chest
Time: 15-30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior
CT Extremities
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
CT Facial Bones
Time: 15-30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior
CT IAC
Time: 15-30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior
CT Sinus
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
CT Soft Tissue Neck
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior
CT of Spine
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
CT Stone Study
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
CT – Abdomen Organ Only (i.e. kidneys, liver, adrenals, spleen, pancreas, etc.)
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior and no oral prep
CT Abdomen *
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior and no oral prep
CT Pelvis Bone Study (i.e. si joints, sacrum, or coccyx)
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
CT Pelvis **
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior
CT Abdomen & Pelvis **
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 4 hours prior
*PICK UP ORAL PREP AT HEALTHSTAR DIAGNOSTIC OFFICE. DRINK 1 BOTTLE OF CONTRAST 2 HOURS PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT TIME. ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY TO BEGIN YOUR SECOND BOTTLE OF ORAL PREP. THE ORAL PREP IS VANILLA FLAVORED AND THE TASTE IS USUALLY IMPROVED BY REFRIGERATION. YOU MAY USE OTHER LIQUIDS TO CHANGE THE FLAVOR (i.e. chocolate syrup, juice, cola, coffee, etc. but do not add more than to the top of the bottle).
**PICK UP ORAL PREP AT HEALTHSTAR DIAGNOSTIC OFFICE. DRINK FIRST DRINK FIRST BOTTLE OF ORAL PREP AT BEDTIME THE NIGHT BEFORE IF YOU HAVE A AM APPOINTMENT OR SIX HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR TEST IF YOU HAVE A PM APPOINTMENT. DRINK THE SECOND BOTTLE OF ORAL PREP 2 HOURS PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT TIME. YOU MUST ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY TO BEGIN YOUR THIRD BOTTLE OF ORAL PREP. THE ORAL PREP IS VANILLA FLAVORED AND THE TASTE IS USUALLY IMPROVED BY REFRIGERATION. YOU MAY USE OTHER LIQUIDS TO CHANGE THE FLAVOR(i.e. chocolate syrup, juice, cola, coffee, etc. but do not add more than to the top of the bottle).
Ultrasound Studies
Aorta Duplex
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Abdomen Complete
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No food or drink 8 hours prior
Abdomen Single Organ (i.e. gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, liver, etc.)
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Abdomen Single Organ (i.e. kidneys/ renals)
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Bladder
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: Drink 64 oz of water 3 hours prior, bladder must be extremely full at arrival
Thyroid
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Breast
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Testicular
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Venous Doppler
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Abi
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Echo
Time: 30-45 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Arterial Study with segmental pressures
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Carotid Duplex
Time: 20 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Extremity Non Vascular
Time: 15 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Needle Guided Biopsies (i.e. breast, thyroid)
Time: 30-45 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
Pelvic (not sexually active or older women)
Time: 30-45 Minutes
Preparation: Drink 64 oz of water 3 hours prior, bladder must be extremely full at arrival
Pelvic Endovaginal
Time: 30 Minutes
Preparation: No preparation
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