This Frequently Asked Questions page supplements our team’s service to you by providing an easy access option, available 24/7, for categories of information that imaging patients often need.
Elsewhere on this website, you will also find the different options for paying your bill, information on requesting your medical records, and a dedicated page of Insurance and Billing frequently asked questions.
Q. Where is your office located?
We have two imaging offices. Our main location is at 1025 Medical Center Drive, near New Hanover Regional Medical Center. We have a satellite office where we conduct MRIs on Ashton Drive (Shipyard and Independence Extension) at 2800 Ashton Drive, Suite 102. Contact (910) 762-3882 for all locations.
Q. Do I need a doctor’s referral to get a procedure done, including a mammogram or routine x-ray?
We accept most patients by referral only, although we do accept self requesting screening mammography patients. Your doctor’s office can submit a referral to our office or you may bring your referral with you to your appointment.
Q. How can I get the results of my examination?
Delaney Radiology will send your referring physician the results of your examination within 24-48 hours. Please allow 3-5 business days for your doctor’s office to contact you with your results. All mammography patients receive by mail a results letter in easy-to-understand language, usually within 3-5 business days.
Q. I am scheduled for an examination and was informed that I cannot have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before my examination. May I take my medication that morning before I arrive for my appointment?
It depends on the specific examination that you are scheduled for. Please call our scheduling department at (910) 762-3882 for exam preparation instructions.
Q. I am diabetic and I am concerned because I was asked to not eat or drink anything after midnight.
Please call our scheduling department at (910) 762-3882 and inform that you need the earliest appointment available and we will gladly accommodate your special needs.
Q. How long will my test take?
Between 15-30 minutes total.
Q. Will my head go in the tube?
It depends on the test.
Q. What if I am claustrophobic?
Your ordering physician may give you a prescription prior to your exam.
Q. Why do I need oral and IV contrast?
The oral contrast will highlight your intestines/colon. The intravenous contrast will highlight your arteries and venous systems.
Q. Why can’t I wear deodorant or powder when I am scheduled for a mammogram?
Some types of deodorant and powders can make artifacts on your mammogram exam and obscure the anatomy. The technologist will have you remove your deodorant or powder before performing the exam.
Q. How long does it take to have a mammogram performed?
Most routine screening mammograms take 20-30 minutes. If you are having a diagnostic mammogram exam, these exams may require further workup with additional views and/or ultrasound and may require additional time.
Q. How long will my study take?
Between 30-60 minutes total.
Q. Will my head go in the tube?
It depends on the test.
Q. What if I am claustrophobic?
Your ordering physician may give you a prescription prior to your exam.
Q. What is Gadolinium?
Gadolinium is an intravenous contrast that is used to highlight your veins and arteries.
Q. How long will my study take?
Between 15-30 minutes total.
Q. Will my injection hurt?
There is minimal pain associated with a steroid/pain injection as lidocaine is used to numb the area of interest. The lidocaine will last a few hours.
Q. How often may I have a steroid injection?
Typically, there is at least a 3 month post-steroid wait for another injection.
Q. I am scheduled for a pelvic ultrasound and was instructed to drink 32 ounces of liquids before arriving for my appointment. Does that have to be 32 ounces of water, or may I drink something else?
Please drink clear liquids (water, clear juice like apple juice, or decaffeinated tea). Limit caffeine. Do not drink carbonated beverages (the gas can interfere with good visualization with ultrasound).
Q. Why is it necessary to have a full bladder for a pelvic ultrasound?
The organs in your pelvic region are best visualized when your bladder is full. The full bladder serves as a sound “window” to clearly evaluate these structures.
Q. Can I pick up x-rays for a friend or relatives?
Yes, as long as we have written permission from the patient. You must show photo identification and will be required to sign a release of health information form when arriving to pick up the x-rays.
Q. Why do I have to show identification to pick up x-rays?
Good business practice and confidentiality (and now government-mandated HIPAA regulations) require that the patient or designated person show photo identification and sign a release to obtain any patient health information. This is for the protection of our patients’ privacy.
Q. My 15-year-old child needs to have an x-ray examination. Do I need to be present for the examination since she is a minor?
Authorization is required for minors (under age 18) to have exams performed. Verbal or written authorization is acceptable for minors if you cannot be present during the examination.
Q. I am uncertain if I am pregnant and I am scheduled to have x-rays. Is this safe?
Depending on the exam requested, it may be necessary to reschedule your examination or for you to have a pregnancy test done to ensure that you are not pregnant. It is recommended that you not receive radiation during pregnancy unless deemed medically necessary by your physician and the radiologist.
Q. Do I need an appointment to have a chest x-ray?
No. We do not require that you schedule an appointment for routine x-rays – you may just come by when it’s convenient for you. We do these exams Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm at our Medical Center Drive location only. All other exams including mammograms, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI, and DEXA (bone density) scans require a scheduled appointment.