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X-Ray and Fluoroscopy
An x-ray is a painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Radiography involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. Routine x-rays include images of the chest, abdomen, pelvis and bone radiography. Fluoroscopy is a study of moving body structures, such as digestive functions, in a live, movie-like sequence. It is a safe and generally non-invasive procedure.
How to Prepare
For bone x-rays, there is no preparation necessary. For x-rays on the abdomen and pelvis as well as any fluoroscopy procedures, your physician may give special instructions. You can use the following as a guide:
| 1. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. You will need to remove all clothing and jewelry in the area to be examined. |
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| 2. Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. | |
| 3. Report to your physician any medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements. | |
| 4. Report to your physician any allergies you may have, especially to anesthesia or to contrast materials. | |
| 5. Check with your physician if you are on blood thinners (Coumadin, Warfarin). You may need to stop your medication and/or have blood coagulation tests within normal values prior to the procedure. | |
| 6. Follow your physician’s instructions about eating and drinking prior to your procedure. |
What to Expect
A technologist will position you next to the x-ray equipment standing up and/or lying down. You may be asked to wear a lead apron for additional protection. You must hold very still and may be asked to keep from breathing for a few seconds to help obtain a clear image. At least two images are taken following the same steps. Once complete, you will wait for the technologist to determine if the images are clear enough to read. Most exams take between 5-10 minutes.
For more information about X-ray and Fluoroscopy, please visit www.radiologyinfo.org.
