Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy or fluoroscopy is a term used in medicine and in particular radiology and diagnostic radiology. It refers to the continuous observation of processes in the human or animal body by means of X-ray radiation.

The fluoroscopy enables the dynamic X-ray image display on a monitor by means of X-ray image intensifier technology.

Application

• Setting of fractures For the presentation of fractures or dislocations and control during operational means small and mobile on castors X-ray machines are used by the surgeons and the operating room personnel. An operational sterile fairing has to be attached to the devices.
• Representations of vessels, bile ducts and gastrointestinal sections with appropriate contrast agents
• Placement of probes in the body under X-ray control
• For better localization of pathological processes in the body by rotation or change in position of the patient ( eg, pulmonary nodules )
• Observation of dynamic processes, such as to exclude a vesikoureterorenalen reflux cardiac motion
• Valve calcification
• Swallowing ( Oesophagusdarstellung )
• Exclusion of leaks ( fistula ) after surgery

A method of examination in which the X-ray camera is connected to a monitor so the doctor can look at the organ to be examined directly on the screen is called candling. In contrast to X-ray fluoroscopy is generally made ​​by a doctor. Depending on the problem by the physician must carefully weighed whether radiography or fluoroscopy are meaningful, because X-rays are ionizing radiation can damage cells, which are taken from her.

The recording of fluoroscopic images is in principle also to generate a three-dimensional image of the body cutout concerned with recorded at different angles views. Similar to the CT fluoroscopy images recorded may be used to produce a tomographic data set while an arc-shaped movement. Due to the conical imaging geometry is also spoken by the so-called Cone Beam CT or cone beam tomography. This is particularly useful to determine the relative spatial position and orientation of organs or specific tissues for the screening apparatus [ Selby et al. 2010].

Radiation exposure

A screening takes naturally much longer than a single radiograph zBam tripod. However, this by no means infers that the radiation exposure would be correspondingly higher. Reason is the completely different recording technique, ensure at the image intensifier with digital image storage, the last picture "last image hold" for a considerable reduction of the required dose compared to the outdated techniques of the 80's with serial film exposure or film camera. By means of the technique of pulsed fluoroscopy, the dose can be lowered to the extent that simple to position controls such as in the search for foreign bodies, may be preferable to a short fluoroscopy an overview image.