Fluoroscopy

A modern fluoroscope.

Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique commonly used by physicians to obtain "live" images of the internal structures of a patient through the use of a fluoroscope. In its simplest form, a fluroscope consists of an x-ray source and fluorescent screen between which a patient is placed. However, modern fluroscopes couple the screen to an x-ray image intensifier, recording the output with a CCD video camera allowing it to be played and recorded on a monitor. The use of x rays, a form of ionizing radiation, requires that the potential risk of developing cancer from a procedure be carefully balanced with the benefits of the procedure the patient. While doctors always try to use low dose rates during fluorscopy procedures, the length of a typical procedure often results in a relatively high accumalated dose to the patient. Recent advances include the digitization of the images captured and flat-panel detector systems which reduce the radiation dose to the patient still further.

Common Procedures Involving the Use of Fluoroscopy

• Investigations of the gastrointestinal tract, including Barium enemas, barium meals and barium swallows, and enteroclysis.
• Orthopaedic surgery to guide fracture reduction and the placement of metalwork.
• Angiography of the leg, heart and cerebral vessels.
• Urological surgery - particularly in retrograde pyelography.