Download What is Fluoroscopy?

Gastrointestinal Fluoroscopy
Louis Carney III
BME 281
November 18, 2013
What is Fluoroscopy?
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Fluoroscopy is a x-ray based medical imaging system
that can display real time x-rays of the human body
to a screen in which results can be analyzed.
Works by sending short x-ray pulses to an image
receptor.
Uses for fluoroscopy:
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Swallowing studies
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Gastrointestinal images
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Angiography
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Implantation of stents,
Gastrointestinal Fluoroscopy
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What is the
gastrointestinal series?
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It includes the esophagus,
stomach and duodenum
Gastrointestinal
fluoroscopy can diagnose
problems associated with:
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abdominal swelling and
pain
bloating
Gastrointestinal Fluoroscopy
Cont’d
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The patient is given a barium drink that coats the
inside of the upper GI and allows the images to
be clearly seen by the radiologist.
As the barium is swallowed, real time images of
the barium flowing through the upper GI are
projected and any abnormality will be seen.
Some patients are given baking soda crystals to
create gas, extending the GI and creating a more
defined image.
Advantages of Fluoroscopy
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Minimally invasive diagnostic method
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Decreases length of hospital stay
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Cut hospitalization and anesthesia charges
Less soft tissue damage during surgery because of
the increased view and detail that the fluoroscopy
gives.
Limitations
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Amount of radiation you can be safely
exposed to.
High degree of technological knowledge of the
system is required to operate safely and
effectively.
Excludes certain patient groups:
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Patients with kidney defects
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Pregnant women
Works Cited
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http://web.mac.com/bdurkindo/Center_for_P
ain_Management/Journal_Articles_files/Fluor
oscopyBasics2007.pdf
http://healthlibrary.brighamandwomens.org/L
ibrary/Encyclopedia/92,P07662
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18849
699
http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/31/2/5
91.full