What is a Fluoroscopy Procedure?
What Does Fluoroscopy Diagnose?
There are various types of diagnostic fluoroscopy procedures. The most common types are:
Upper Gastrointestinal Series (UGI):
This produces images of the patient’s lining of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. It can detect ulcers, benign tumors, inflammation or infection, etc.
Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Series or Barium Enema:
This produces images of the patient’s lining of the large intestine. It can detect ulcerations, cancerous growths, inflammation, etc.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG):
This is a procedure that utilizes fluoroscopy to examine a woman’s uterus and fallopian tubes. It can determine if the fallopian tubes are open and if the uterine cavity is normal. This can help determine why a woman is struggling to get pregnant.
What to Expect at Your Fluoroscopy Screening
On the day of your appointment, you will be asked to arrive to the radiology clinic 15 – 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time to complete paperwork and change clothes (if necessary). If necessary, you will receive barium to help produce a sharper image. During the fluoroscopy screening, you will be requested to stand or lie on an exam table as the radiologist moves the fluoroscope equipment around the part of your body being examined. The radiologist may ask you to hold your breath or change positions as necessary, so he or she can see the area of interest at a variety of angles.
The entire procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the type of screening required. Within 24 to 48 hours after your appointment, the radiologist will share your results with your physician. Then, your physician will contact you to explain the results of the fluoroscopy and discuss next steps.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
The preparation for your fluoroscopy depends on the specific type of the procedure. For some procedures, you do not need to do any special preparations. For others, you might have to avoid taking certain medicines as they can interfere with the screening or fast before the procedure. When your screening is scheduled, our team will let you know of any special diet and other preparations.
As a general rule, women should always inform their doctor or radiology tech if they are pregnant or if there is a possibility that they might be pregnant. Also, if you are breast-feeding, you should let your medical team know. Then, in conjunction with your doctor, we will determine if the procedure is appropriate or not.
Request a Fluoroscopy Appointment
If you are in need of a fluoroscopy, you can request your doctor to refer you to Maryville Imaging or Goshen Imaging. Our trusted, experienced team will make your fluoroscopy appointment as comfortable and convenient as possible. We are available to talk through any questions you may have about the procedure.