"Am I going to be in a tube?"
No. An MRI is done in a tube-shaped machine. A CAT scan machine looks more like a doughnut. Very few patients feel claustrophobic in the CAT scan machine.

"How bad does the contrast taste?"
Actually, the taste isn't bad. Years ago, the contrast was chalky, and bad-tasting. Today, it has an orange or lemon lime flavor.

If x-ray dye is to be injected, an IV will be placed in a vein in your arm. When the x-ray dye is injected, you may feel warmth and a slight metallic taste in your mouth.

"How long does the test take?"
That depends on the type of scan you are having, and how many body areas are being scanned. The exam can take anywhere from 15 minutes for an area such as the sinuses, to an hour and a half for multiple body parts.