Medical Imaging
Fluoroscopy
 Our Fluoroscopy department uses real-time digital imaging to evaluate body areas and organs. Contrast agents such as barium and non-ionic contrast are used to assist in visualizing anatomy. Fluoroscopy is used to study the upper gastrointestinal tract, lower gastrointestinal tract and esophagus. Fluoroscopy is also used to assist in guiding catheter placements and for needle-guided punctures in spinal and joint procedures. The most common procedures are described below.
Esophagus - Barium Swallow
Upper Gastrointestinal Tract and Small Bowel
Lower Gastointestinal Tract - Barium Enema
Hysterosalpingography
Voiding Cystourethrography
Myelography
Arthrography
Why This Procedure is Done: You may be asked to have this procedure done if you're having problems with dysphasia, obstruction or aspiration. The procedure can also be done with a Speech Pathologist on patients who have a history of difficulty swallowing.
Preparation: No preparation is needed before the procedure.
How This Procedure is Performed: You will drink barium while the radiologist uses fluoroscopy to watch you swallow. This helps visualize anatomy and pathology.
How Long the Procedure Takes: Please allow 30 minutes for your appointment.
Why This Procedure is Done: You may be asked to have this procedure done if you're having problems with pain, obstruction, nausea or vomiting.
Preparation: You should not eat anything after midnight the day before your procedure.
How This Procedure is Performed: You will drink barium while the radiologist uses fluoroscopy to watch the fluid flow through your stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract. This helps visualize anatomy and pathology.
How Long the Procedure Takes: Please allow 30 minutes for your appointment.
Why This Procedure is Done: You may be asked to have this procedure done if you’re having problems with pain, obstruction or bleeding. This procedure is also done for screening purposes.
Preparation: This procedure requires a Fleet Enema the day before the exam.
How This Procedure is Performed: An enema tip is placed in your rectum, and barium is passed through your lower gastrointestinal tract. A radiologist uses fluoroscopy to watch the fluid. This helps visualize anatomy and pathology.
How Long the Procedure Takes: Please allow 60 minutes for your appointment.
Why This Procedure is Done: This procedure is used to check for causes of infertility.
Preparation: This procedure requires preparation. Directions will be given to you by your obstetrician.
How This Procedure is Performed: An obstetrician injects a contrast agent through a catheter into your fallopian tubes. A radiologist uses fluoroscopy to watch the fluid. This helps visualize anatomy and pathology.
How Long the Procedure Takes: Please allow 60 minutes for your appointment.
Voiding Cystourethrography
Why This Procedure is Done: You may be asked to have this procedure done if you’re having problems with urinary tract infections, incontinence or bladder pain.
Preparation: No preparation is needed before the procedure.
How This Procedure is Performed: A radiologist injects a contrast agent through a catheter into your bladder. The radiologist uses fluoroscopy to visualize pathology while you are voiding.
How Long the Procedure Takes: Please allow 60 minutes for your appointment.
Why This Procedure is Done: You may be asked to have this procedure done to diagnose disc disease, stenosis, cancer or trauma.
Preparation: The procedure requires preparation. Directions will be given to you by your physician.
How This Procedure is Performed: The day of the procedure you will be admitted to the hospital as an ambulatory care patient. A radiologist injects a non-ionic contrast agent into your spinal canal, in your cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine area. The radiologist uses fluoroscopy to visualize anatomy and pathology.
How Long the Procedure Takes: Please allow 60 minutes for your appointment.
Why This Procedure is Done: You may be asked to have this procedure done to diagnose a rotator cuff tear, ligament tear, meniscus tear or hip prosthesis instability. The procedure can also be done prior to an MRI Scan of a joint.
Preparation: No preparation is needed before the procedure.
How This Procedure is Performed: A radiologist places a needle in an extremity joint space and a contrast agent is injected through the needle. The radiologist uses fluoroscopy to visualize anatomy and pathology.
How Long the Procedure Takes: Please allow 60 minutes for your appointment.
3/2/2007
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