(Duration: approximately 30 minutes) It's a procedure performed to allow the extraction of abscesses, collections, or free fluid anywhere in the body. Sometimes it's necessary to leave a catheter to ensure complete drainage of the collection.

Preparation:

• Fasting for six (6) hours is required.
• Bring recent coagulation tests: PT, PTT, INR, hemoglobin, and platelets not older than one (1) month.
• Avoid applying or ingesting any type of anticoagulant or natural medication. If you're taking any, it must be previously authorized by your treating physician.
• Bring the medical order and the current service authorization addressed to Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe.
• Bring any previous studies related to your exam.
• If available, bring your medical history.
• You must be accompanied by an adult.
• Please arrive 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.

*Results will be delivered one hour after the completion of the study.

(Duration: approximately 30 minutes). This exam uses ultrasound to examine blood flow in the major arteries and veins of the abdomen.

Preparation:

• Six (6) hours of fasting are required.
• Please arrive 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.
• Bring with you the medical order and the current service authorization addressed to Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe.
• Bring along any previous studies related to your exam.

*Results will be delivered one hour after the completion of the study.

(Duration: approximately 30 minutes). This study is performed on women to evaluate their uterus and ovaries or to observe masses more accurately. In men, it is performed to observe the bladder, prostate, and seminal vesicle.

Preparation:

• Drink four (4) to six (6) glasses of water one hour before the study without eliminating them.
• Please arrive 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.

*Results will be delivered one hour after the study is completed.

(Duration: approximately 30 minutes). This is the study of the kidneys, urinary tract, bladder, and the prostate in the case of men.

Preparation:

• Drink four (4) to six (6) glasses of water one hour before the study without emptying your bladder.
• Please arrive 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.

*Results will be delivered one hour after the study is completed.

(Duration: approximately 30 minutes). This imaging study is performed to examine the prostate and determine if there are any abnormalities in terms of size or the presence of malignant or benign nodules affecting it.
Preparation:

• Use a cleansing enema two (2) hours before the examination. You can purchase the cleansing enema (TRAVAD) at the 24-hour pharmacy at Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe.
• Please arrive 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.

*Results will be delivered one hour after the study is completed.

(Duration approximately: Two hours). It is a radiological study to evaluate pathologies of the stomach, esophagus, and/or small intestine; which is performed using fluoroscopy and ingestion of a barium contrast medium.

Preparation:

• Present yourself 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.
• Bring with you the list of medications you are currently taking and previous studies.
• Bring with you the medical order and the current authorization of service directed to Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe.

For pediatric patients:

• Children must be accompanied during the examination by 2 adult individuals (pregnant women are not allowed).
• Please bring 2 baby bottles: one with boiled water and the other with the usual food or formula.

*Results will be provided one hour after the completion of the study.

(Duration approximately: 30 minutes). It studies the liver, intra and extrahepatic bile ducts (common bile duct), gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, diaphragmatic motility, upper retroperitoneum, adrenal glands, and the presence or absence of ascitic fluid or masses of other origin.

Preparation:

• Six (6) hours of fasting are required.
• Present yourself 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.
• Bring with you the medical order and the current authorization of service directed to Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe.
• Bring with you the list of medications you are currently taking and previous studies.

*Results will be delivered one hour after the study is completed.

(Duration approximately: 30 minutes). It is used to assess the prostate gland via a suprapubic route; that is, a catheter or probe is inserted into the bladder through a small hole in the abdomen.

Preparation:

• Drink four (4) to six (6) glasses of water one hour before the procedure, without eliminating them.
• Present yourself 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.

*Results will be delivered one hour after the study is completed.

(Duration approximately: 30 minutes). The liver, intra and extrahepatic bile ducts (common bile duct), gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, diaphragmatic motility, upper retroperitoneum, adrenal glands, and the presence or absence of ascitic fluid or masses of other origin are studied.

Preparation:

• Six (6) hours of fasting are required.
• Present yourself 30 minutes before the procedure at the service point.
• Bring with you the medical order and the current authorization of service directed to Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe.
• Bring with you the list of medications you are currently taking and previous studies.

*Results will be delivered one hour after the study is completed.

Gamma scans are nuclear medicine studies used to detect diseases in different parts of the body. They involve the injection of a radioactive tracer, called a radiopharmaceutical, which travels through the organ affected by a disease. A specialized machine then generates images of various organs, providing information about any diseases or abnormalities in your body.

It's crucial to confirm your appointment for this test one day in advance. Find more information in this video.

A simple or contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic test that allows for highly detailed images of the body in two or three dimensions from any perspective.

This test uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field instead of X-rays to provide clear and detailed images of tissues and internal organs. Learn more about what an MRI is by clicking here.

Explore more information with Radiologist Dr. Vanessa García in her MRI class, which you can access here.

The PET-CT scan is an effective scanning method that uses very low radiation levels to provide detailed information about the inside of your body. This information can reveal certain medical conditions, helping to make a diagnosis without the need for other complicated or uncomfortable procedures.

Click here to learn all about the PET-CT exam.

How should I prepare for a PET-CT exam?

• Fast for four (4) hours and take your medications as usual with water.
• Avoid consuming carbohydrates such as flour, bread, or sugar and opt for a protein-based diet (vegetables, meat, and fish) at least 12 hours before the study.
• Avoid activities involving physical exertion (exercise with bands, weights, aerobics, or long walks). Generally, rest for 24 hours before the study.
• Drink water and stay hydrated at least 24 hours before the study.
• If you are a fertile woman, you must bring a negative pregnancy test with a validity of less than 8 days.
• You must be accompanied by an adult who is not a pregnant woman.
• Arrive for the study wearing comfortable clothing without metals, cell phones, or valuables.
• Bring the request from the treating physician, a complete clinical summary, and previous studies related to the current condition (CT scans, MRI, mammography, ultrasound, PET or nuclear medicine, etc.).

Learn more about preparing for the PET-CT exam and its post-care by watching this video.

A computed tomography can be used to visualize nearly all parts of the body and diagnose diseases or injuries, as well as to plan medical, surgical, or radiation treatments.

It has various uses, but is especially useful for quickly examining individuals who may have internal injuries as a result of car accidents or other types of trauma.

The doctor may recommend a computed tomography for the following purposes:

• Diagnosing muscular and skeletal disorders, such as bone tumors and fractures.
• Determining the location of a tumor, infection, or blood clot.
• Guiding procedures, such as surgeries, biopsies, and radiotherapy.
• Detecting and monitoring diseases and conditions such as cancer, heart diseases, lung nodules, and liver tumors.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of certain treatments, such as cancer treatment.
• Detecting internal injuries and internal bleeding.

Find more information by clicking here.

X-rays are a type of radiation called electromagnetic waves. X-ray images show the inside of your body in different shades of black and white. This is because different tissues absorb different amounts of radiation: calcium in bones absorbs most X-rays, so bones appear white; fat and other soft tissues absorb less and appear gray; air absorbs the least, so lungs appear black. They are typically used to identify fractures, pneumonia, tumors, among others.

Learn more about the X-ray exam in the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHVYL0G7Ugo

How should I prepare for an X-ray study?

The process of taking an X-ray only takes a few seconds; however, it may be necessary for the staff to take some additional X-rays in different positions to improve the diagnosis, so the study may take approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

There is no special preparation for this study; however, inform the radiologist if you have had any other recent radiation studies or if you are a pregnant woman or may be pregnant.

Learn many more details about the X-ray study in the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPMGd70H1AY