What type of radiation is used in fluoroscopy?
The scan involves: A speculum placed into your vagina so that a small tube can be placed into your uterus. Once the tube is in place, the speculum will be removed. X-ray dye will be injected through that tube and fill your uterus and fallopian tubes. This may cause some cramping.
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Fluoroscopy is a type of imaging tool. It looks at moving body structures. It’s much like an X-ray "movie." It is often done while a contrast dye moves through the part of the body being examined. A continuous X-ray beam is passed through the body part and sent to a video monitor. The body part and its motion can then be seen in detail. Fluoroscopy lets healthcare providers look at many body systems. These include the skeletal, digestive, urinary, cardiovascular, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Fluoroscopy may be used to look at certain parts of the body. These include the bones, bowel, muscles, heart vessels, and joints. Why might I need fluoroscopy?Fluoroscopy is used in many types of tests and procedures including:
Fluoroscopy may also be used for:
Fluoroscopy may be used alone. Or it may be used along with other diagnostic procedures. There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to advise fluoroscopy. What are the risks of fluoroscopy?You may want to ask your healthcare provider about the amount of radiation used during the procedure and the risks related to your particular situation. It is a good idea to keep a record of your radiation exposure, such as previous CT scans and other types of X-rays, so that you can tell your healthcare provider. Risks linked with radiation exposure may be related to the cumulative number of X-ray exam or treatments over a long time. If you are pregnant or think you may be, tell your healthcare provider. Radiation exposure during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. If contrast dye is used, there is a risk for allergic reaction to the dye. Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to or sensitive to medicines, contrast media, iodine, or latex. Also tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney failure or other kidney problems. There may be other risks depending on your specific health problem. Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all your medical conditions. Certain factors or conditions may interfere with the accuracy of a fluoroscopy procedure. For instance, a recent barium X-ray procedure may interfere with exposure of the stomach or lower back area. Make sure your healthcare provider knows about your medical history and any recent tests or treatments you have had. How do I get ready for fluoroscopy?
What happens during fluoroscopy?Fluoroscopy may be done on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices. Generally, fluoroscopy follows this process:
Fluoroscopy itself is not painful. But the particular procedure being done may be painful, such as the injection into a joint or accessing of an artery or vein for angiography. In these cases, the radiologist will take all comfort measures possible. Depending on the procedure, that may include local anesthesia (numbing medicines), conscious sedation (medicines to make you sleepy), or general anesthesia (medicines to put you into a deep sleep and not feel pain). What happens after fluoroscopy?The type of care needed after the procedure will depend on the type of fluoroscopy that is done. Certain procedures, such as cardiac catheterization, will need a recovery period of several hours with immobilization of the leg or arm where the catheter was inserted. Other procedures may need less time for recovery. If you notice any pain, redness, or swelling at the IV site after you go home, tell your healthcare provider. It may be a sign of infection or other type of reaction. Does fluoroscopy use gamma rays?Radiography or X-ray and fluoroscopy procedures seem similar. However, fluoroscopy obtains moving images of the inner part of the body and radiography uses gamma rays to develop a static image of the internal structure of a body.
Where does the radiation come from in fluoroscopy?Radiation exposure comes from 3 major sources in the fluoroscopic suite, including the primary X-ray beam and leakage and scattered X-ray beams. [4] As X-rays travel from the source toward the patient, many of the particles do not make it to the image detector as they are either absorbed, attenuated, or scattered.
How much radiation does fluoroscopy give off?32 rad/min! Fluoroscopes are routinely operated in automatic exposure mode.
Is fluoroscopy low radiation?Radiation doses in fluoroscopy are therefore substantially higher than in conventional radiography.
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