Health Topics for Tests and Exams

Respiratory Care

Cellular Immunology Diagnostic Lab

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy makes a moving x-ray picture of internal organs. A constant stream of x-rays passes through the patient. This casts shadows of internal organs onto a screen. It reveals less detail than a standard still x-ray. Because it exposes the person to more radiation than a standard x-ray, doctors use it only when they need to see internal movement.

One use of fluoroscopy is to observe the lungs and diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle between the chest and the abdomen. It controls breathing. Fluoroscopy shows whether it moves properly. It can also show various parts of the digestive tract. Barium swallow and barium enema tests both use fluoroscopy. Finally, it may be used to guide the passage of catheters or other tools through the body.

Fluoroscopy is done in an office or the radiology section of a hospital. The room may be darkened, so the examiner can see the screen clearly. For many tests, fluoroscopy may be only a brief part of the overall procedure.

Pregnant women should not have fluoroscopy. Healthcare providers now limit this test to the minimum amount of time needed to see the area being tested, but it is still not safe in pregnancy. When these precautions are observed, it is a relatively safe procedure.

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