Prednisolone dosing for CT scan

Source of Dosing Regimens	Dosing Regimens
Department of Radiology & Imaging, Yale School of Medicine Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre Geisel School of Medicine, Department of Radiology	50mg Prednisone PO 13, 7 and 1 hour before the injection. 50mg Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) IV/PO within 1 hour of the injection.
South Jersey Hospital System	40mg Prednisone PO 12 hours before and 2-4hrs before
Medscape	Methylprednisolone 32mg tab PO at 12 hours and 2 hours before
ESUR Guideline	Prednisolone 30mg PO given 12 hours and 2 hours before contrast medium

Different dosing regimens used by the radiology department across the world.

Procedures before CT Scan (Radiology Department HKGU)

• For morning procedure, needed to fast 6 hours before the scan. For afternoon procedure, patient is allowed to take breakfast in the morning and fast afterward until the scan.
• Steroid is indicated in high risk patient (those who have allergies to seafood, those who are asthatic, CVD patients)
• Dosing regimen recommended for adult:
• T. Prednisolone 40mg – 12 hours before Contrast Media injection
• T. Prednisolone 40mg – 2 hours before Contrast Media injection

Dietary Advice

•  Low carbohydrate diet. Foods that can be eaten include: meat, hard cheese, tofu, eggs, butter and vegetables with no starch.
•  Some foods that are NOT allowed include: cereal, pasta, milk, breads and other sugars
• 6 hours before scan - DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING OTHER THAN WATER. No fruit juices, coffee, tea.
• No limit on amount of water you can drink

REFERENCES

1. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/preventing-allergic-reaction-contrast-media

2. http://radiology.yale.edu/patientcare/policies/premedication.aspx
3. https://www.inspirahealthnetwork.org/upload/assets/PDFs/rad_06_10_AllergyPrepGuideline_10.pdf
4. Medscape
5. http://www.esur.org/guidelines/
6. http://www.northshore.org/nuclear-medicine/diagnostic-tests/pet-scan-procedure/
7. http://www.xrcmi.com/preparation-instructions/pet-ct-prep-diet-instructions/