Preparation instructions for CT Pneumocolon –

afternoon appointment

‘CT’ stands for ‘computered tomography’, which is a scan that uses x-rays to
procedure a cross sectional image, or slice, of the body.

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS – AFTERNOON APPOINTMENT

It is essential that you read and follow the instructions prior to your examination.

The success of this test depends on your colon (bowel) being as empty as possible and if
the colon is not adequately cleansed the test may have to be repeated.

If you are unable to complete the preparation as instructed, then please check with us
here in the Radiology Department before coming.

TWO SACHETS OF PICOLAX AND ONE 50ML BOTTLE OF OMNIPAQUE

300MG I/ML ARE ENCLOSED

These are to be taken as instructed below to cleanse your colon and highlight your bowel
under CT imaging.

If you have been told that you are allergic to contrast media/dye do not drink
the Omnipaque and contact the Radiology Department on T: 0207 616 7653
(select option 5 for the Radiology nurses).

INSTRUCTIONS

SEVEN DAYS BEFORE YOUR SCAN

Seven days before your scan or from when you receive this letter stop any iron tablets but
continue all other medications and laxatives you usually take until you come to hospital.

TWO DAYS BEFORE YOUR SCAN

You can eat low fibre foods including the following:

• Milk (two cups per day), plain yoghurt, cheese, butter, margarine
• White fish or chicken (boiled, steamed or grilled)

1
RAD252 – Issue date 17 February 2017
 • Eggs, tofu
• White pasta, white rice
• White bread, white pitta, white flour chapattis
• Potatoes with no skin (such as mashed or boiled)
• Clear soups (no solid bits, for examples sieved chicken noodle), Bovril, Oxo
• Clear jelly, boiled sweets, ice cream, chocolate (no fruit or nut pieces)
• Salt, pepper, sugar, sweeteners and honey

Have plenty to drink from tea, coffee, squash, fizzy drinks, water, clear fruit
juices (such as apple, grape and cranberry)

SUGGESTED MEALS COULD INCLUDE FOR EXAMPLE

Breakfast

• White bread/toast with butter and honey

• Boiled or poached egg

Lunch

• Grilled fish or chicken with white rice and boiled potatoes (no skin)
• Scrambled eggs on white toast, vanilla ice cream

DO NOT EAT HIGH FIBRE FOODS SUCH AS

• Red meats, pink fish (such as salmon)

• Fruit, vegetables, salad, mushrooms, sweetcorn
• Cereals, nuts, seeds, pips, bran, beans, lentils
• Brown bread, brown or wild rice, brown pasta
• Pickles, chutneys

2
RAD252 – Issue date 17 February 2017
ONE DAY BEFORE THE EXAMINATION

7.30am-9am Dissolve the contents of the Picolax sachet in a cup of

cold tap water (approximately 150mls).

Stir for two to three minutes and drink the solution.

8.30am One cup of tea, or coffee.

BREAKFAST (Low fibre foods only) such as one or two boiled

eggs.

One piece of white bread/toast with low fat spread.

9am-12pm Drink one large glass (half pint) of water or clear fluids
every 30 to 40 minutes.

You may have one cup of tea or coffee if you wish.

DO NOT EAT ANYTHING UNTIL LUNCHTIME

12.30pm-1pm Eat a light lunch (Low fibre foods only) such as

boiled or grilled (not fried) fish, chicken, clear soup or
LUNCH Bovril and any other clear drinks.

DO NOT EAT BREAD, POTATOES, FRUIT OR

VEGETABLES

After Lunch Drink one large glass of water or other clear fluids
regularly every 30 to 40 minutes.

3pm-3.30pm Dissolve the contents of the second sachet of Picolax as

above and drink as before.

4pm-7pm Drink one large glass of water or any other clear fluids
regularly every 30 to 40 minutes.

During this time you may drink one cup of tea or coffee.

7pm-9pm No solid food. You may drink clear soup.

3
RAD252 – Issue date 17 February 2017
 DINNER DO NOT EAT ANYTHING MORE UNTIL AFTER
YOUR EXAMINATION.

9pm-12am After supper, clear drinks of any kind may be taken

regularly.

OVERNIGHT Drink as much water as required.

You should expect frequent bowel actions to start a few hours after the first dose of
Picolax, and some abdominal cramping is normal. Picolax is designed to cleanse the
bowel and will cause loose bowel movements similar to diarrhoea. You will need to
ensure you are near a toilet during this period. To prevent soreness, you may apply
Vaseline or barrier cream locally after each bowel action.

DAY OF THE EXAMINATION

Drink the full 50mls of Omnipaque 300mg I/ml solution four hours prior to your
appointment time. You can dilute it in 250mls of water or clear fluids prior to drinking.

Do not have any solid food but you should drink fluids until two hours before
your CT scan.

We will ask you to attend the Radiology department around 30 minutes before your
actual CT scan time. The scan will take around 30 minutes, but you are free to remain in
the hospital and make use of the bathroom facilities before you go home. You may eat
and drink 15 minutes after your scan has finished. Upon arrival to the Radiology
department you will be able to order a sandwich for after the procedure.

CAUTIONS

Bowel preparation can be harmful although this is unusual. There is a risk of developing
dehydration, low blood pressure or kidney problems with this medication. The doctor
prescribing the oral cleansing agent will have assessed your risk and identified the most
appropriate medication for you. You should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when
taking your preparation, however the following rules apply:

• The prescribed dose of oral cleansing agent should not be exceeded.

4
RAD252 – Issue date 17 February 2017
 • The oral bowel cleansing agent should not be taken over a period
longer than 24 hours.

Oral medication should not be taken within one hour of administration of bowel
cleansing preparations as it may be flushed from the gastro-intestinal tract and not
absorbed.

Oral bowel cleansing agents pre dispose to dehydration, so you should maintain good
fluid intake whilst taking these medications. If you develop symptoms of dehydration
such as dizziness, thirst or reduced urine, please seek medical attention.

Additional side effects are listed below:

• Nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, anal irritation and sleep

disturbance
• Allergic reactions including rash, itching, redness and swelling should be
reported

People who are particularly at risk of dehydration and loss of salts include the frail,
elderly, children, those with renal impairment, individuals with congestive cardiac (heart)
failure, or liver cirrhosis and those taking diuretics (water tablets).

You are now prepared for your procedure.

5
RAD252 – Issue date 17 February 2017