What is Fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy is a type of advanced imaging that uses x-rays to acquire images of the body. It enables us to take either a single still x-ray, or take a moving/video x-ray. These images are transmitted to a monitor that enable the identification of a body part, instrument or contrast agent, and allows us to visualise the movement of these through the body, much like an X-ray movie.
What is Fluoroscopy used for?
Fluoroscopy procedures are performed to help diagnose disease, or to guide our surgeons during difficult surgical procedures.
Here at North Coast Veterinary Specialist and Referral Centre we use fluoroscopy to assist in a number of orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgeries, and many diagnostic procedures. Fluoroscopy can be used for:
- Barium studies – to image the patient as they swallow and as the contrast agent moves through the gastrointestinal tract
- Placement of devices within the body – such as stents and subcutaneous ureteral bypass catheters
- Orthopaedic surgery – to guide joint replacements, implant positioning and treatment of fractures
What are the advantages of Fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy allows us to see a live image of the body’s internal organs and bones, in order to observe their size, shape and movement, and in the case of bones, to determine accurate fracture alignment. Fluoroscopy provides dynamic and functional information and enables us to accurately diagnose conditions that may not be seen without real-time imaging in a non-invasive and painless manner.
