Fluoroscopy

What is fluoroscopy?

Fluoroscopy is a type of x-ray that shows organs, tissues, or other internal structures moving in real time. Standard x-rays are like still photographs. Fluoroscopy is like a video. It shows your body systems in action. These include the cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels), digestive, and reproductive systems. Fluoroscopy allows your health care provider to watch your organs or structures as they function, such as your heart beating, lungs inflating, or intestines moving food. The procedure can help your provider evaluate and diagnose a variety of conditions.

What is it used for?

Fluoroscopy is used in many types of imaging procedures. It can be used to guide your provider during a procedure visually or to help diagnose a health condition. Some of the most common uses of fluoroscopy include:

• Barium swallow or barium enema. In these procedures, fluoroscopy shows the movement of the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract.
• Cardiac catheterization. In this procedure, fluoroscopy shows blood flowing through the arteries. It is used to diagnose and treat some heart diseases.
• Placement of a catheter or stent inside the body. Catheters are thin, hollow tubes. They are used to get fluids into the body or to drain excess fluids from the body. Stents are devices that help open narrow or blocked blood vessels. Fluoroscopy helps ensure the proper placement of these devices.
• Guidance in orthopedic surgery. A surgeon may use fluoroscopy may be used by a surgeon to help guide procedures such as joint replacement and fracture (broken bone) repair.
• Hysterosalpingogram. In this procedure, fluoroscopy is used to provide images of female reproductive organs.

Why do I need fluoroscopy?

You may need a fluoroscopy if your provider wants to check the function of a particular organ, system, or other internal part of your body. You may also need fluoroscopy for certain medical procedures that require imaging guidance. This could include surgery or the placement of a stent.

What happens during fluoroscopy?

Depending on the type of procedure, a fluoroscopy may be done at an outpatient radiology center or as part of your stay in a hospital. The procedure may include some or most of the following steps:

• You may need to remove any jewelry, removable dental appliances, eyeglasses, and metal objects that may interfere with the procedure. 
• You may need to remove your clothing. If so, you will be given a hospital gown.
• You may be given a lead shield or apron to wear over your pelvic area or another part of your body, depending on the type of fluoroscopy. The shield or apron protects from unnecessary radiation.
• For certain procedures, you may be asked to drink a liquid containing contrast dye. Contrast dye is a substance that makes parts of your body show up more clearly on an x-ray.
• If you are not asked to drink a liquid with the dye, you may be given the dye through an intravenous (IV) line or enema. An IV line will send the dye directly to your vein. An enema is procedure that flushes the dye into your rectum.
• You will be positioned on an x-ray table. Depending on the type of procedure, you may be asked to move your body in different positions or move a certain body part. You may also be asked to hold your breath for a brief period of time.
• If your procedure involves getting a catheter, your provider will insert a needle in the appropriate body part. This may be your groin, elbow, or other site.
• Your provider will use a special x-ray scanner to make the fluoroscopic images. They will be able to view them on a computer screen.
• If a catheter was placed, your provider will remove it.

For certain procedures, such as those involving injections into a joint or artery, you may first be given pain medicine and/or medicine to relax you. For procedures that use fluoroscopy as imaging guidance during surgery or stent placement, you may get general anesthesia to sedate you.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

Your preparation will depend on the type of fluoroscopy procedure. Your provider will let you know if you need to do any special preparations. For example, for certain procedures, you may be asked to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. You may also need to avoid certain medicines before the test, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don’t stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to. 

Are there any risks to the test?

You should not have a fluoroscopy procedure if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Radiation can be harmful to a developing baby.

For others, there is little risk to having this test. The radiation dose depends on the procedure, but fluoroscopy is not considered harmful for most people. But talk to your provider about all the x-rays you've had in the past. The risks from radiation exposure may be linked to the number of x-ray treatments you've had over time.

If your procedure involves using contrast dye, there is a small risk of an allergic reaction. Tell your provider if you have any allergies, especially to shellfish or iodine, or if you've ever had a reaction to contrast material.

What do the results mean?

Your results will depend on what type of procedure you had. Several conditions and disorders can be diagnosed by fluoroscopy. Your provider may need to send your results to a specialist or do more tests to help make a diagnosis.

If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider. To understand the results of your fluoroscopy procedure, your provider may consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.