Fluoroscopy
Your doctor has ordered a FLUOROSCOPIC examination. Below please find the answers to commonly asked questions. If you have any other questions before or after the test, please call the Radiology Department Patient Information Line at (603) 650-4488.
What is fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy is a special type of x-ray that allows a radiologist to examine different parts of your body. Fluoroscopy is done in a special suite in the radiology department with equipment that allows a radiologist see the organs and tissues in your body in motion. Most fluoroscopic exams require the use of x-ray contrast dye to better see the organs in your body. The images of your body will appear on a monitor like a TV screen.
What kinds of information does a fluoroscopic exam provide?
Commonly fluoroscopy is used to examine the digestive and urinary systems. These exams tell your doctor how these systems look and how well they are working.
Where is fluoroscopy done?
Fluoroscopic exams are done in the Routine X-ray section of the radiology department. It is located on the third level across from the food court. Enter through the main entrance and go down the long hallway and look for the sign.
What is an upper GI ?
The upper GI is an excellent test for the evaluation of the esophagus, stomach, and the first portion of the small intestine. A patient should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the upper GI examination. A series of x-rays will be taken while you are swallowing contrast material and in a number of different positions while lying on an x-ray table. The upper GI examination is painless exam. Some patients may experience a full feeling after drinking the GI contrast material and the effervescent crystals that distend the esophagus and stomach for better visualization. Radiologists and x-ray technologists will assist you if you have difficulty with mobility. The upper GI examination is an excellent study for the evaluation of the swallowing mechanism, the esophagus, stomach, and the small intestine. The examination is excellent for both functional information and anatomic display.
What is a barium enema?
The barium enema is a very safe way of looking for narrowing, masses, inflammation, polyps, or diverticula in your rectum and colon. The barium enema is a series of pictures of your large bowel also called your colon. We make these pictures by placing barium through a tube into your rectum and colon. Before the test, we will give you special instructions and medicines to clean out your colon. This should make you have several bowel movements the day and night before your exam. The morning of your exam, the technologist will assist you in changing into a gown. Then the technologist will help you onto the table and gently place a small soft tube into your rectum. The doctor will begin the exam by placing barium into your colon. As barium is placed into the colon, you may feel like you really need to have a bowel movement. Taking slow deep breaths will help make you feel better. Once the barium coats almost all of the colon, the doctor will drain most of the barium out and instill some air through the same tube. The radiologist and technologist will then take pictures of your colon and allow you to use the bathroom. Most patients tolerate this test very well.
What is an IVP?
An IVP stands for IntraVenous Pyelogram. This is a test to study the urinary system (kidneys, ureters, bladder). It is particularly good at looking for obstruction caused by kidney stones. The night before your exam, you will be asked to take a preparation to clean out your colon.
The morning of your exam, an IV will be placed in your arm. The technologist will ask you a series of questions to determine if you have had previous allergies to the x-ray contrast material used in IVPs. If you have had a previous reaction then we may need to give you some medicine (prednisone or benadryl) before we proceed.
The technologist or radiologist will then inject about three ounces of x-ray dye into the IV and start taking pictures of your kidneys, ureters and bladder. If there is an obstruction you may need to remain in the department for delayed films. There is a small risk of allergic reaction to the contrast material that is injected. Most problems that occur because of contrast injection are minor and do not require any special treatment. Very rarely there is a complication known as anaphylaxis from contrast injection which requires immediate lifesaving treatment. Most often, patients experience no difficulties during the test and are free to resume all activity immediately after the test is over.
What is a VCUG?
VCUG stands for voiding cysourethrogram. This is a safe test that shows how your urinary bladder is working. It is commonly ordered by your doctor to look for reflux of urine into the ureters. To do this test, we place a small catheter into your bladder through the urethra. Once the catheter is in place, we fill up your bladder with contrast material and take pictures with the fluoroscope. As soon as you feel the need to urinate, the radiologist will have you urinate into a towel on the table and take pictures of the urethra. Once you have finished urinating, the test is over.
What is a myelogram?
A myelogram, usually done together with a CT scan, are x-ray exams to study the nerves in the spinal cord. On the day of your myelogram make sure you have someone to drive you home. Arrive in Routine X-ray (Level 3- through the main entrance) about 10 minutes before your exam is scheduled to begin.
DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT for 2 1/2 hour before the study starts. It is important to continue to drink plenty of water before the test. Plan on staying for up to two hours after your examination for observation.
After you check into Routine X-ray, you will change into a gown and talk to the technologist and radiologist about the procedure. The radiologist will explain the procedure and ask you some questions about your health and any history of allergic reactions. If you have ever had allergic type reaction to radiographic contrast, tell your doctor and the radiologist.
The procedure will begin with you lying on your stomach on the x-ray table. The skin will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution and numbed with lidocaine. Patients generally feel only mild discomfort or pressure. Then the radiologist will place the needle into the spinal canal, well below the spinal cord, under direct visualization with fluoroscopy. Then x-ray dye is slowly injected into the space around the nerve roots and the needle is taken out. The radiologist will take several pictures and send you to CT scan.
After CT, the test is done! Following your myelogram, you will be monitored in the recovery area for up to 2 hours. You will be encouraged to drink plenty of fluid and to sit or recline with your head elevated. After appropriate monitoring, you will be able to leave but you must have a responsible adult drive you home.
Side effects from the myelogram occasionally occur. The most common is a headache. To minimize the risk of this, drink plenty of fluid. If you develop a headache lie down for twenty-four hours and continue drinking plenty of fluid. If your headache does not improve by the second day, CALL YOUR DOCTOR.
