Fluoroscopy
Many different exams use fluoroscopy to aid in diagnosis. It is used to guide precise needle placement for injections that help diagnose and treat pain. Fluoroscopy is unique in that it provides a view of the movement of internal anatomy or contrast material within the body.
Fluoroscopy uses a continuous X-ray beam with a special machine called a C-arm that rotates around your body to look at different angles. During the exam, a series of X-ray images are projected onto a screen. A contrast material may be used to help highlight an area and make it possible for the doctor to view internal organs and tissues in motion.
What You Need To Know
This exam is mainly used for image-guided therapeutic injections into the joints or spine.
Although complications are rare, we will review possible side effects and risks with you prior to your exam so you can ask questions and decide if this exam is right for you.
What To Expect
- We’ll give you a call before your appointment to talk through preparation instructions and your past imaging exams.
- If your exam requires contrast, we’ll discuss any special requirements with you.
- Be sure to tell us if you are pregnant, nursing, or if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
- On the day of your exam, please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. If instructed to do so, please bring prior imaging results with you.
- When you arrive, you will be led to a changing room and given a pair of scrubs to wear for your exam. You will be given a locker to store your clothes and anything else you may have with you during your exam.
- Our technologist will position you on the X-ray table for the area of the body being imaged.
- The skin around the image area will be cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.
- Using X-ray for guidance, a thin needle is used to inject contrast into the area thought to be causing your pain. You may feel a pressure sensation or experience brief discomfort.
- Also depending on your exam, you may need additional imaging. If so, you will then be brought to a room where imaging will be performed. Depending on your exam, this may be MRI, CT or X-ray.
- When your scan is complete, you’ll be escorted back to the changing room so you can change out of the scrubs and back into your clothing.
- Once you have changed, your appointment is complete. You do not need to check out with the front desk when you leave.
- You may experience some mild soreness at the injection site. Please call your physician’s office if you have any concerns.
- After the exam, your images will be sent electronically to a radiologist who will review the information and send a report to your referring provider, typically within one to two business days.
- You should follow-up with your referring provider to discuss your results.