What Is Fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging test that allows doctors to see the movements of body parts, like internal organs, in real time. These tests scan the body using x-rays, creating a moving, continuous image on a screen for doctors to observe. Fluoroscopy is useful for diagnosing internal conditions in patients. They also help doctors to see the inside of a patient’s body while performing surgery.
How Is Fluoroscopy Used?
Fluoroscopy is used by doctors in a number of different medical fields to diagnose various diseases and conditions. Below are a few common areas in which fluoroscopy is utilized.
Gastroenterology
Fluoroscopy is performed in barium x-ray procedures. A barium x-ray allows doctors to see and diagnose abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract. Barium swallow tests, an offshoot of barium x-rays, are commonly used to diagnose diseases and issues in the esophagus, such as tumors, enlarged veins, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Cardiology
Cardiologists often perform fluoroscopies on their patients during cardiac catheterization and other procedures. A fluoroscopy test gives doctors a real-time picture of the heart and arteries so that they can identify any suspected issues. Fluoroscopy helps cardiologists to identify the blocked arteries of coronary artery disease and to insert catheters into specific intravenous locations.
Orthopedic Procedures
Fluoroscopies are used in many procedures involving the joints and bones. An arthrogram can help identify arthritis and other joint conditions in patients. Other orthopedic procedures guide doctors as they perform orthopedic surgeries, joint injections, and joint aspirations.
Urology
Urologists use fluoroscopies in certain medical procedures to diagnose issues in the urinary tract. Using this testing, doctors can diagnose urinary reflux or identify the source of bladder infections or difficulty emptying the bladder.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
In obstetrics and gynecology, fluoroscopies are used to diagnose diseases or issues in a female patient’s reproductive system. A hysterosalpingogram allows a doctor to see the shape of the uterus and fallopian tubes, as well as diagnosing the cause of infertility.
Examining these different medical fields has shown you how fluoroscopy helps diagnose and treat patients; once the source of a condition is found using fluoroscopy, the patient can then be effectively treated. If you are a doctor who will be performing fluoroscopy on a patient, be sure that your facility has proper fluoroscopy tables to ensure that both you and the patient are comfortable during the procedure. If you find yourself in need of this equipment, purchase one from Medical Positioning today.