Fluoroscopy
Fluoroscopy is a medical procedure that allows doctors to see real-time
movements inside a part of the body. Your healthcare provider will
recommend fluoroscopy when the benefits to your health outweigh the risk.
Fluoroscopy is a medical procedure that makes a real-time video of the
movements inside a part of the body. Images are captured by passing x-
rays through the body over a period of time. X-rays are a form of ionizing
radiation.
Fluoroscopy can be used for diagnosing (finding out the cause of) a health
problem such as heart or intestinal disease. It also can be used to guide
treatments such as implants or injections, or in orthopedic surgery. It helps
the healthcare provider look inside organs, joints, muscles, and bones.
We all are exposed to ionizing radiation every day from the natural
environment. However, added exposures like those from fluoroscopy
procedures can slightly increase the risk of developing cancer later in life.
What you should know
Your healthcare provider may recommend a fluoroscopy procedure to
diagnose disease or guide treatment procedures for a particular health
concern.
Fluoroscopy is commonly used to:
Check how the stomach and intestines are working.
Check if food is being properly swallowed and how the muscles of
the mouth and throat are working.
Guide medical procedures to place catheters, stents, or other devices
inside the body, such as in the heart or blood vessels.
Guide injections (shots) deep into the spine or joints.
See broken bones and whether surgery has fixed them in proper
position to heal.
Coronary angiography is an example of a fluoroscopy procedure. A
small tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery of the heart. Contrast
dye moves through the catheter into the blood vessels. The
fluoroscopy shows how the blood moves through the vessels and
allows the healthcare provider to locate any blockages.
Fluoroscopy procedures involve exposure to ionizing radiation that
can slightly increase the risk of developing cancer later in life.
Your healthcare provider will recommend fluoroscopy when the
benefits to your health outweigh the risk. Talk to your healthcare
provider if you have any questions or concerns or to decide on the
best options for you.
What to expect
Before the procedure
Some fluoroscopy procedures may use a contrast dye which allows
medical provider to see specific organ(s). You will be asked to either drink
the dye or you will receive it in an intravenous (IV) line.
Make sure to let your healthcare provider or radiologist (medical
professional specially trained in radiation procedures) know if:
You have ever had a reaction to any contrast dye.
If you have kidney disease or poor kidney function.
You are pregnant or think you could be pregnant.
You may be asked to take a pregnancy test before the procedure.
During the procedure
You will be asked to remove any clothing and jewelry that may
interfere with the procedure.
You will be positioned on the procedure table and, depending on the
type of procedure, you may be asked to get in different positions,
move a specific body part, or hold your breath at intervals while the
fluoroscopy is being performed.
Anesthesia or sedation may be used depending on the procedure.
Benefits and risks of fluoroscopy procedures
Benefits
Allows healthcare providers to see movement and function (like in a
movie) that cannot be seen in other fixed imaging studies (like a
photograph).
Guides sometimes life-saving surgical treatments.
Risks
Radiation doses are usually higher than in common imaging like X-
rays. This means these procedures are slightly more likely to
increase the possibility you may get cancer later in life.
Some fluoroscopy procedures are longer and use more radiation
than others. These could cause skin reddening and hair loss.
Contrast dye, if used, can produce an allergic reaction in some
people.
While fluoroscopy itself is not painful, the procedure being performed may
be painful. For example, the injection into a joint or accessing of an artery
or vein for angiography.
The radiologist will take all comfort measures possible. You may receive
local anesthesia, conscious sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on
the procedure.
Putlih Jaliam S. Sali
