Contrast liquid may be injected into a patient during a fluoroscopy.
Radiography is the technology used when taking x-rays of objects in order to see inside of them. Fluoroscopy is a type of radiography that shows these internal areas in real time. This means that instead of seeing a static image, fluoroscopy allows a medical professional to see the movement of the body's internal processes as it occurs, allowing them to make a more accurate diagnosis.
History
Fluoroscopy began at the end of the 19th Century. A German physicist named Wilhelm Roentgen discovered that a screen painted with salt and barium fluoresced when exposed to x-rays. An early model of the fluoroscope utilized a cardboard funnel and barium salt. Thomas Edison improved upon this device to yield higher definition images, resulting in the commercialization of fluoroscopy as a medical diagnostic tool.
Procedure
During a fluoroscopy, the patient lies down on an exam table. A fluoroscope is placed above the area to be studied. The patient is usually asked to ingest a liquid called contrast, which helps the radiologist identify the affected body part. Contrast may also be injected intravenously or through an enema. As it moves through the body, the radiologist follows the contrast with the fluoroscope, which is easily maneuverable. The images from the fluoroscope are broadcast on a monitor that the radiologist observes during the procedure.
Function
Fluoroscopy is utilized in a number of different tests that are generally less invasive when compared to traditional surgical methods. This includes heart catheterizations when a radiologist uses a fluoroscope to see how blood travels through the arteries of the heart. This can determine whether or not a patient has arterial blockage. A barium x-ray is another type of fluoroscopy that shows the flow of liquid through the intestines and can be used in spotting digestive issues.
Considerations
Fluoroscopy can be performed as an in-patient or out-patient procedure. This is determined by the type of fluoroscopic test that needs to be performed and the preparation required to complete the test. Patient safety is of utmost importance to the radiologist performing a fluoroscopy as well as the fluoroscopy manufacturers. Measurements taken to mitigate the risk of radiation exposure include lead shields worn by the patients and radiography staff to block excessive radiation absorption, fluoroscopic levels that can be changed to accommodate the size of the patient and a pulse fluoroscopy, which allows the radiologist to pulse x-rays as opposed to streaming them continuously.
Warning
Radiation is hazardous to a developing fetus. Pregnant women or women who could be pregnant should not undergo a fluoroscopy or be in the room of a patient undergoing fluoroscopy. Exposure to radiation has been shown to be carcinogenic although this is usually found only in patients who have undergone significant radiography procedures. Fluoroscopy has the potential to cause skin injuries, usually similar to sunburn, that can be serious if exposure time is lengthy.
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