Computed Tomography (CT): Scheduling Guide & Exam Codes

Purpose: This guide provides accurate scheduling support for CT exams across all Washington Radiology locations. Use this resource to confirm exam type, location restrictions, patient prep, and important scheduling reminders.

Available At:

• DC K-Street
• Chevy Chase
• Sterling

Not Available At:

• Bethesda
• Fairfax
• Germantown
• Park Potomac
• Arlington

General CT Contrast Exam Guidelines:

• Contrast Exams
  • ALWAYS confirm if the exam is WITH, WITHOUT, or WITH & WITOUT contrast.
  • If order indicates "As Needed" or "PRN" = Schedule WITH contrast.
  • No CT contrast exams can be added AFTER 3 PM for the NEXT DAY UNLESS APPROVED BY THE CT DEPARTMENT
    • If the CT department is not available, schedule at least 2 business days out
    • If a doctors office calls after4 PM to request an urgent CT Contrast appointment for the next day: email Leadership
  • Patients with a history of any of the following MUST fax their creatinine levels to the Center before their appointment:
    • Age 60 or Over
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Taking Medication for High Blood Pressure
    • Taking Metformin or any Metformin Drug Combination
    • History of Kidney Disease to include: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Single Kidney, Renal Cancer, or Renal Surgery
      
      
• Allergy Protocols

  • Patient Condition	Action
    Benadryl or Epinephrine	Schedule 3 business days out (5 days if pre-auth required).
    Iodine allergy	Do NOT schedule - refer back to referring physician.

    
    

Barium Protocol

Not all exams require Barium - check Prep & Notes!

• Barium Pickup:
  • Patient must bring written order with them when picking up Barium Contrast prior to exam.
  • Pickup Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Mon-Fri)
  • Available At:
    • DC K-Street
    • Bethesda
    • Chevy Chase
    • Park Potomac
    • Fairfax
    • Sterling
    • Germantown
• Barium Instructions:
  • AM Appointments:
    • 9:00 PM night before: Drink 1/2 bottle of Barium
    • Beginning 4 hours prior to the exam: Clear liquids only
      • Suggested Clear Liquids: Water, tea/coffee (no milk), clear juice, soda. No dairy, solid food, or Jell-O
    • Beginning 2 hours prior to the exam: Drink 1/2 bottle of Barium
  • PM Appointments:
    • 8:00 AM day of exam: Drink 1/2 bottle of Barium
    • Beginning 4 hours prior to the exam: Clear liquids only
      • Suggested Clear Liquids: Water, tea/coffee (no milk), clear juice, soda. No dairy, solid food, or Jell-O
    • Beginning 2 hours prior to the exam: Drink 1/2 bottle of Barium

Additional Notes:

• Blood Thinners - Ok to continue
• WR does NOT perform Coronary CT's (Cardiac Scoring is allowed)

Quick Reference: Exam Types & Guidelines

Exam Code	Exam Description	When to Use	Location(s) & Rules	Prep & Notes
523	CT Abdomen W/ Contrast	DO NOT USE THIS CODE! ALWAYS USE "ABDOMEN & PELVIC" CODES!
524	CT Abdomen W/O Contrast	DO NOT USE THIS CODE! ALWAYS USE "ABDOMEN & PELVIC" CODES!
522	CT Abdomen W/WO Contrast	DO NOT USE THIS CODE! ALWAYS USE "ABDOMEN & PELVIC" CODES!
531	CT Angio Abdomen W/ Contrast	Abdominal aorta, mesentric arteries, renal arteries	DC & Sterling ONLY	No Barium
529	CT Angio Abdomen & Pelvis W/ Contrast	Abdominal aorta, mesentric arteries, renal arteries	DC & Sterling ONLY DIEP FLAP at DC ONLY	No Barium
537	CT Angio Non-Coronary Chest w/ Contrast	Thoracic aorta, internal mammary arteries, P.E. studies	DC & Sterling ONLY	No Barium Prep: Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam
529 & 537	CT Angio DIEP Flap W/ Contrast	Breast cancer patients, deep inferior epigastric perforator	DC ONLY	No Barium Prep: Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam
543	CT Angio Neck W/ Contrast	Blockage or narrowing of arteries, Carotid arteries	DC & Sterling ONLY	No Barium Prep: Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam
546	CT Angio Pelvis W/ Contrast	Iliac arteries	DC & Sterling ONLY For iliac arteries ONLY WR does not perform the exam if reason is Prostate, Prostate Arteries, or planning for Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)	No Barium Prep: Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam
968	CT Abdomen and Chest W/ Contrast			Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium.
947	CT Abdomen and Chest W/O Contrast			Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium.
967	CT Abdomen and Chest W/WO Contrast			Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium.
520	CT Abdomen and Pelvic W/ Contrast	Gallbladder, pancreas, liver, kidneys		Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones, renal prep, pancreas protocol or adrenal gland: NO BARIUM Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
521	CT Abdomen and Pelvic W/O Contrast	Gallbladder, pancreas, liver, kidneys NOTE: CT Renal, use this code		Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones, renal prep, pancreas protocol, or adrenal gland: NO BARIUM Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
519	CT Abdomen and Pelvic W/WO Contrast	Gallbladder, pancreas, liver, kidneys NOTE: CT Urogram, use this code		Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones, urogram prep, pancreas protocol or adrenal gland: NO BARIUM Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
942	CT Abdomen, Pelvic, and Chest W/ Contrast			Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium.
944	CT Abdomen, Pelvic, and Chest W/O Contrast			Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium.
943	CT Abdomen, Pelvic, and Chest W/WO Contrast			Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium.
570	CT Chest W/ Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones: NO BARIUM Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
571	CT Chest W/O Contrast			No Prep
569	CT Chest W/WO Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones: NO BARIUM Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
512	Calcium Scoring	AKA: Cardiac Scoring or Electron Beam CT (EBCT) High blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease	NOTE: No patients under the age of 16 Saturday appointments offered at Sterling	Exam is NOT covered by insurance. Patient will pay $250 All Calcium Scoring exams must be scheduled with the payor as "Self-Pay", unless the patient has Medicare. Insurance information will be entered for Medicare patients. If patient has other appointments for the same day, they can be billed to insurance. Prep: Avoid caffeinated drinks for 24 hours prior to the exam. No exercise is allowed on the day of the appointment.  IMPORTANT: This exam cannot be performed if your heart rate is over 75 BPM. Please refrain from caffeine and exercise the day of your appointment. If you think your resting heart rate might be over 75 BPM, contact your referring physician to see if medication to control your heart rate is appropriate. If your heart rate is over 75 BPM at the time of your exam, you will be rescheduled.
???	CT Dental Mapping Could not be found in eRAD		Chevy Chase ONLY Dr. Lande ONLY
945	CT Extremity Lower W/ Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones: NO BARIUM Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
611	CT Extremity Lower W/O Contrast		MAKO Protocol, for knee or hip, schedule at Sterling or DC ONLY	No Prep
946	CT Extremity Lower W/WO Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones: NO BARIUM Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
667	CT Extremity Upper W/ Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones: NO BARIUM Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
668	CT Extremity Upper W/O Contrast			No Prep
666	CT Extremity Upper W/WO Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. If reason is due to hematuria, flank pain, to rule out kidney stones: NO BARIUM Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
589	CT Head W/ Contrast	Brain		Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
590	CT Head W/O Contrast	Brain		No Prep
588	CT Head W/WO Contrast	Brain		Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
???	CT Abdomen, Pelvic and IVP Could not be found in eRAD			Prep: Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam. Do NOT empty bladder beginning 2 hours before the appointment and until the technologist instructs you to use the restroom.
654	CT Internal Auditory Canal W/ Contrast	AKA: IAC or Temporal Bone Inner ear canal		Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
656	CT Internal Auditory Canal W/O Contrast	AKA: IAC or Temporal Bone Inner ear canal		No Prep
934	CT Mandible W/O Contrast			No Prep
619	CT Maxillofacial W/ Contrast		Clarify on exam type, could be Orbits, Sinus, Mandible, or Teeth	Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
620	CT Maxillofacial W/O Contrast			No Prep
618	CT Maxillofacial W/WO Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
651	CT Neck W/ Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
652	CT Neck W/O Contrast			No Prep
650	CT Neck W/WO Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
622	CT Orbits W/ Contrast	Eyes		Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
623	CT Orbits W/O Contrast	Eyes		No Prep
621	CT Orbits W/WO Contrast	Eyes		Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
630	CT Pituitary W/WO Contrast		Call the Center and check with CT Tech before scheduling the appointment	Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
631	CT Pituitary W/O Contrast			Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
628	CT Pelvic W/ Contrast	Female organs, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder		Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. If reason is due to bony pelvis, SI joints, sacrum, coccyx, or any bone anatomy in pelvic: NO BARIUM Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam Call CT Tech to verify
629	CT Pelvic W/O Contrast	Female organs, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder		Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. If reason is due to bony pelvis, SI joints, sacrum, coccyx, or any bone anatomy in pelvis: NO BARIUM Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam Call CT Tech to verify
627	CT Pelvic W/WO Contrast	Female organs, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder		Patient must pick up prep from our office! **Must arrive 30 min prior to appt time.** Document arrival time in Order Notes. AM Appt Exam Prep: At 9PM the evening prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam drink 1/2 bottle of barium. PM Appt Exam Prep: At 8AM the day of the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids. Two hours prior to the exam, drink 1/2 bottle of barium. If reason is due to bony pelvis, SI joints, sacrum, coccyx, or any bone anatomy in pelvic: NO BARIUM Clear liquids only for 4 hours before exam Call CT Tech to verify
568	CT Spine Cervical W/O Contrast	Neck	Saturday appointments offered at Sterling	No Prep
617	CT Spine Lumbar W/O Contrast	Back	Saturday appointments offered at Sterling	No Prep
952	CT Sinus Screen			No Prep
647	CT Sinus W/ Contrast	AKA: Maxillofacial	Saturday appointments offered at Sterling	Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
648	CT Sinus W/O Contrast (Full Series)	AKA: Maxillofacial	Saturday appointments offered at Sterling	No Prep
646	CT Sinus W/WO Contrast	AKA: Maxillofacial	Saturday appointments offered at Sterling	Prep: Four hours prior to the exam drink only clear liquids.
941	CT Sinus/Stryker			No Prep
???	CT Sinus/Brainlab Could not be found in eRAD
940	CT Sinus/Medtronics			No Prep
662	CT Spine Thoracic W/O Contrast		Saturday appointments offered at Sterling	No Prep
907	CT Low Dose Lung Cancer Screen (Thorax/Lung Screen)		Saturday appointments offered at Sterling	Make the patient aware this exam may be a non-covered service. WRA will file to the patients insurance. If insurance does not cover, the cost of the exam is $255.
932	CT Virtual Colonoscopy Diagnostic		Must use Reviewing Future Scheduled VC Exams and VC Calendar job aid to check for availability BEFORE scheduling! Schedule with Dr. Chu ONLY DC, Sterling & Chevy Chase only Check the Virtual Colonoscopy calendar to see how many exams can be performed on a given day Exam can ONLY be scheduled in the morning, BEFORE 9:30AM A nurse will call in a prescription for the suprep to the patient's pharmacy. NOTE: Diagnostic reasons only	Medicare not cover a screening virtual colonoscopy and only covers a diagnostic virtual colonoscopy if the patient meets the clinical indications. Exam cost is $800 Most insurance carriers require pre-authorization Prep: Please advise patient to pick up barium and instructions for exam at least 4 days prior to the appointment. At that time, a clinical team member will discuss the prep in full.
933	CT Virtual Colonoscopy Screening		Must use Reviewing Future Scheduled VC Exams and VC Calendar job aid to check for availability BEFORE scheduling! Schedule with Dr. Chu ONLY DC, Sterling & Chevy Chase only Exam can ONLY be scheduled in the morning, BEFORE 9:30AM NOTE: Cannot do screening colonoscopy plus another diagnosis (i.e., blood thinners, anticoagulants, twisted colon, blood in stool, etc.)	Medicare not cover a screening virtual colonoscopy and only covers a diagnostic virtual colonoscopy if the patient meets the clinical indications. Exam cost is $800 Most insurance carriers require pre-authorization Prep: Please advise patient to pick up barium and instructions for exam at least 4 days prior to the appointment. At that time, a clinical team member will discuss the prep in full.

EDITED: 09/25/2025