preimaging

Preimaging refers to the preparatory activities undertaken before acquiring diagnostic medical images. It includes patient preparation, safety screening, equipment setup, and protocol planning with the aim of protecting patients while maximizing image quality and diagnostic yield.

In practice, preimaging begins with patient screening and consent. Clinicians verify contraindications to imaging modalities or contrast agents, assess pregnancy status, allergies, and prior reactions. Patients are advised on clothing and jewelry removal, metal objects, fasting or hydration requirements, and, if needed, sedation or anxiolysis. For procedures involving contrast media, clinicians review renal function, allergies, and medication interactions.

Equipment preparation involves quality control and calibration, selection of appropriate imaging coils or probes, immobilization devices, and optimization of scanning parameters. Planning includes determining the appropriate modality, sequence or protocol, and the field of view; a scout or localizer image may be acquired to guide positioning and plan a targeted study. In ultrasound and MRI, patients may be instructed to limit movement or to follow breathing instructions.

Safety and dose management is a core focus, with attention to radiation exposure where applicable, infection control, and monitoring for adverse reactions to contrast agents. Data privacy and documentation are addressed by recording preimaging findings, consent, allergies, prior imaging, and fasting status.

Challenges include claustrophobia, motion, incidental findings during screening, and scheduling constraints. Preimaging practices strive for standardization across departments while allowing modality-specific adaptations.