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Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is an examination of the tissues and deep structures of the body by x-ray using the fluoroscope, a device that projects radiographic (x-ray) images in a movie-like sequence onto a screen monitor. Often used to observe the digestive tract and the female reproductive system, fluoroscopy is also used for other diagnostic radiological procedures, such as shoulder and knee contrast studies, to guide needle localization in the diagnosis of certain bone and joint problems.

Our radiologists and technologists are fully licensed and certified in fluoroscopy and radiography, and HVRA is accredited by the American College of Radiology for radiography and fluoroscopy.

About Your Exam

In some exams, you will be asked to drink a solution called "barium," which allows the radiologist to examine the solution's path inside your body. The radiologist will use a switch to control an x-ray beam that is transmitted through your body. The x-rays then strike a fluorescent plate that is coupled to an "image intensifier" that is, in turn, coupled to a television camera. The radiologist can then watch the images "live" on a TV monitor.

The length of time to complete your fluoroscopy exam depends on the type of exam you are having.

Upper GI - Barium Swallow: 45 minutes
Small Bowel Series: Up to 4 hours
Lower GI - Barium Enema: 1 hour

How to Prepare

How you prepare for your fluoroscopy exam depends on the type of exam you will be having.

Upper GI - Barium Swallow: Nothing by mouth after midnight the night before.

Small Bowel Series: Low residue diet and lots of liquids the day before the exam. Nothing should be taken by mouth from midnight the night before. Take a mild laxative on the afternoon before the day of the exam, around 4:00 pm. The laxative may be 1 bottle of Magnesium Citrate or 3 tablets of Ducalax. Morphine, Codeine, Demerol or Lomotil should not be administered for 24 hours prior to the day of the exam.

Lower GI - Barium Enema: On the day before the exam, you will need to follow a strict diet regimen. Our staff will provide you with more details. On the morning of the exam, you will need to take a quart plain tap water enema between 6 and 7 am, and repeat until returns are clear. After the exam, you may eat or drink anything, however 1 ounce of Milk of Magnesia and large amounts of fluids are recommended.

Intravenous Pyelogram: On the day before the exam, take 3 Ducalax tablets at 3 pm with at least 8 ounces of water. At dinner time, begin a liquid diet (jello, coca-cola, ginger ale, vegetable juice, strained fruit or vegetables, or clear broth). On the day of the exam, do not have breakfast.

Exam Results

We will provide your doctor with your fluoroscopy results within 24 to 48 hours. You should consult your doctor directly to review your results.

Locations Offering Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is offered at our Danbury location.