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Preparing for Ultrasound

Things to note on day of appointment:

When to arrive

Please arrive 20 minutes before your appointment

Clothing

Please wear loose, comfortable clothes. You will have the option to change into a gown depending on the part of your body to be scanned

Valuables

We suggest you leave your valuables at home so you don’t have to worry about them. You can keep your things with you during your exam.

Medical leave

Please note that no medical leave will be issued on the day of exam. An excuse chit can be given upon request.

Preparation

Please select the examination from the list below for more information on the preparation required.

How to prepare for an Ultrasound

Ultrasound Abdomen / HBS
Doppler Aorta / Hepatic Vessels / Transplant Liver

  • Do not eat or drink 5 hours prior to your exam. If required, plain water is allowed.

  • If you are on diabetic medication, do not take the medication on the morning of your exam. You can resume medication after your exam has completed.

  • If you are on any other prescribed medication, continue your medication as prescribed by your doctor.

    *For infant less than 1-year-old, please skip one milk feed.

Ultrasound Kidneys and Bladder / Pelvis

You are required to drink water at the following interval:

  • 1st drink (200 ml) : 1 hour before the appointment time
  • 2nd drink (200 ml) : 30 minutes before the appointment time
  • 3rd drink (200 ml) : 10 minutes before the appointment time
  • If you have a urinary catheter, please ensure that the catheter is clamped.
  • Please do not go to the toilet or empty your bladder before the scan. We need to perform the scan when your bladder is full.
*No preparation is required for children less than 6 years of age.

Ultrasound Doppler Renal Arteries / Veins

  • Do not eat or drink 5 hours prior to your exam.
  • 30 minutes prior to your appointment time, please drink 200ml of plain water. If you are on fluid restriction, you do not need to drink water.
  • If you are on diabetic medication, do not take the medication on the morning of your exam. You can resume medication after your exam has completed.
  • If you are on any other prescribed medication, continue your medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound

  • Please contact Radiology if you have the following:
  • Allergy to ultrasound contrast media e.g. SonoVue (Sulphur hexafluoride), Sonazoid or Definity. If you have other drug allergies, please specify accordingly.
    • Right-to-left cardiac shunt.
    • Severe pulmonary hypertension, uncontrolled hypertension or adult respiratory distress syndrome, cardiovascular or haemodynamic instability
    • Any egg allergy.
    • Pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • No fasting is required for this examination.
  • An intravenous cannula will be inserted on your left arm before the examination commence.
  • If you are on any other prescribed medication, continue your medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Other scans not indicated above

  • No specific preparation is required.