About Fluoroscopy
What is 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 is used when doctors need to see internal movement.
What is fluoroscopy used for?
For many tests, fluoroscopy may be only a brief part of the overall procedure. 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, upper GI, barium enema, and intravenous pyelogram (IVP) tests all use fluoroscopy.
Frequently fluoroscopy is used to aide in needle placement into joints for administration of local anesthesia or contrast. Finally, it may be used to guide the passage of catheters or other tools through the body.
Where is fluoroscopy offered?
Radiology Associates of Ocala offers fluoroscopy at two convenient locations: Medical Imaging Center and TimberRidge Imaging Center.
What to Expect
An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm and you will be positioned for the x-ray procedure. A dye or contrast substance may be injected into the IV line in order to better visualize the structure being studied. The procedure room may be darkened, so the technologist or radiologist can see the screen clearly while the x-rays are taken.
Patient Prep
BARIUM ENEMA
24-hour prep done the day before exam
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Breakfast
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Liquid diet. No sugar. No dairy.
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Noon
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Light lunch. Clear soup, unsweetened fruit juices, sugar-free gelatin, black coffee or plain tea. No milk or cream.
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1:00 PM
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Drink 8 ounces of water.
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2:00 PM
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Drink 8 ounces of water.
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3:00 PM
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Drink 8 ounces of water.
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4:00 PM
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Drink 8 ounces of water.
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5:00 PM
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Liquid dinner. Clear soup, unsweetened fruit juices, sugar-free gelatin, black coffee or plain tea. No milk or cream.
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5:30 PM
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Drink one 10-ounce bottle of Magnesium Citrate.
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6:00 PM
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Drink 8 ounces of water.
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7:00 PM
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Drink 8 ounces of water.
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8:00 PM
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Drink 8 ounces of water.
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9:00 PM
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Drink 8 ounces of water.
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9:30 PM
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Take 3 Bisacodyl tablets with water. Do not chew.
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Morning of Exam
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Do not eat or drink. You may take any prescribed medications, except for those that must be taken with food.
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Administer Bisacodyl suppository.
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Diabetic patients may have a liquid breakfast (12 ounces of sweetened fruit juice) and take their medication.
Gastrointestinal Series (UGI and/or Small Bowel)
Nothing by mouth after midnight (this includes water). No water should be drank after midnight.
Intravenous Pyelogram or Nephrotomography
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Clear liquid diet (no milk products) starting at noon on the day before the exam. Sugar substitutes are permitted.
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Three Bisacodyl (do not chew) with two, 8-ounce glasses of water at 4:00 PM.
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Do not take anything by mouth 3 hours prior to the exam. You may take any prescribed medications except for those that must be taken with food.
