Have you ever had an X-ray? A regular X-ray takes a still picture of something inside our bodies, like taking a photograph. But imagine if the doctor wanted to see your heart beating, or the way food moves through your stomach when you swallow it, that is, something moving at that moment? That's when a special test called fluoroscopy is used.
What is Fluoroscopy in simple terms?
Simply put, fluoroscopy is like a moving X-ray video . While a regular X-ray only takes one picture, this method uses a continuous stream of X-rays to see how organs and tissues inside the body are working in real time , like a video of the moment.
Think about it this way. Your car's engine is making a noise. If you take a photo of it and show it to a mechanic, it might be hard for him to pinpoint the problem. But if you watch the engine while it's running, you can easily figure out where the noise is coming from and what's going on, right? Fluoroscopy is something like that. It helps doctors see how the organs inside the body are working in real time.
What do doctors use fluoroscopy for?
This method is used for two main purposes. One is to diagnose diseases . The other is to guide medical procedures . Let's look at these two separately.
For diagnosis (Diagnostic Fluoroscopy)
This test is used to detect problems in various parts of the body. You can get a good idea of it from the table below.
| Name of the test | What do you do with it? |
|---|---|
| Angiography | Check for narrowing or blockage of blood vessels (especially arteries). |
| Barium Swallow | Check for problems in the upper part of the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach). |
| Barium Enema | Check for colon and rectal problems. |
| Cystography | It is used to check for bladder problems. It is also used to check if urine is flowing properly. |
| Hysterosalpingogram | Take images of the uterus and fallopian tubes. |
| Myelography | Obtain images of the spinal cord and surrounding nerve roots. |
To guide medical procedures
This is like a map that helps the doctor guide the instruments inserted into the body to the exact location during certain surgeries or other medical procedures.
- Catheter insertion: A thin tube (catheter) used to deliver fluids into or remove fluids from the body is inserted into a specific location, such as a vein or urethra.
- Stent placement: Place a small mesh tube (stent) in the right place to keep a narrowed or narrowed blood vessel open.
- Orthopedic surgery: This method is used to set bones when they are broken, and in joint replacement surgeries.
How does this fluoroscopy test work?
This involves using a special camera to direct a short stream of X-rays into the body, taking a series of images of the inside. These images are displayed on a computer screen like a video.
Sometimes, a dye (contrast agent) is used to make organs and other tissues more visible. This is also called a "dye," but it is not the kind of dye that stains clothes. There are several ways to introduce this dye into the body:
- By injecting it into a vein as an injection.
- By giving you a liquid mixed with this pigment to drink.
- By inserting an enema through the anus.
How should you prepare for this test?
How you prepare depends on the type of fluoroscopy you are having. Some tests don't require any special preparation. Others may require you to fast for a few hours before the test. You may also be asked to stop taking certain medications. So, follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
The most important thing is to definitely tell your doctor these things before the test.
- Have you ever had an allergy to these types of pigments before? Or do you have any other severe allergies?
- Are you pregnant? Or could you become pregnant? You must definitely inform us, because X-rays can be harmful to the baby in the womb.
What happens during the test?
Depending on the nature of the test, you may be admitted to the hospital or have this done in an outpatient setting. Before the test, you will be given a special gown to wear and asked to remove any jewelry.
These are the things that usually happen:
1. You will be made to lie down on a special table or sit in a chair.
2. If you are put to sleep during the test, an anesthesiologist will give you anesthesia through an injection into a vein in your arm.
3. If a coloring pigment is needed, it will be given orally, by injection, or through an enema.
4. During the test, the doctor may ask you to move your body into different positions. Sometimes, he or she may ask you to hold your breath for a while.
5. If something like a catheter is being inserted, a needle is inserted through a suitable area, such as the groin or elbow, and the necessary device is inserted through it.
6. While doing all this, the doctor uses the X-ray scanner to view images of the inside of your body on a computer screen.
Are you conscious at this time?
This also varies depending on the test being performed. If you are having fluoroscopy as a guide for surgery, you may be fully anesthetized (put to sleep). But for something like a barium swallow, you will need to be awake because you will need to follow the doctor's instructions. Your doctor will explain this to you in advance.
Are there any risks in this?
The main risk of fluoroscopy is exposure to radiation .
But don't worry about this. Diagnostic tests use very low levels of radiation . In a long procedure like surgery, the exposure to radiation is longer. It can very rarely cause damage to the skin and underlying tissues (such as burns), and there is a small increase in the risk of cancer in the future. If done to a pregnant woman, it can also harm the baby in the womb.
But remember, the chance of these side effects occurring is very low . A doctor will decide that this test is necessary because the benefits of it far outweigh this small risk.
Additionally, if you use a colorant, there is a very small risk of an allergic reaction. That's why we said earlier to tell your doctor about your allergies beforehand.
Does this test hurt?
No. The process of obtaining fluoroscopy images is not painful at all . However, if it is done in conjunction with surgery or another procedure, you may feel some pain as a result of the procedure. The pain is not from the fluoroscopy, but from the surgery itself. Your doctor will explain to you about the pain you may feel and how to manage it.
Take-Home Message
- Fluoroscopy is not a still image like a regular X-ray, but rather a moving video that shows how organs inside the body work.
- This is very important for diagnosing diseases and guiding doctors during surgeries and other medical procedures.
- Before the test, be sure to tell your doctor about your allergies and if you are pregnant.
- The risk of radiation is very low. If medically necessary, the benefits of the test far outweigh the small risk.
- If you have any questions about this test, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.
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