Fluoroscopy

The health risk from exposure to medical radiation is generally outweighed by the health benefits of having the scan. If you are pregnant or there is a possibility that you could be pregnant, please contact your doctor to discuss the procedure.

Depending on the examination type you receive will depend on the side effects you may experience. Every body is different, and you may experience no side effects, but it’s important to keep on top of your symptoms and ensure you contact a medical professional if you feel severely unwell after your appointment.

Barium side effects: A barium fluoroscopy may cause constipation

Urinary side effects:

The liquid inserted into the bladder for a urinary fluoroscopy can feel slightly “sticky” when it dries, and a small number of people may experience a urinary tract infection after having the catheter inserted or mild discomfort while passing urine for the first time after the study. A very small amount of blood may be passed in the urine immediately after the procedure, but this is not important if it is small and does not last. 

Any discomfort should be brief and should not increase. If there is persistent blood in the urine, bad smelling urine, unexplained irritability or fever, please contact your GP or the doctor who referred you to us. If these symptoms are severe, contact your doctor straightaway.

Discography side effects: You may experience back pain for several hours following your discography fluoroscopy examination.

Myelogram side effects:

The most common side effects you may experience with a myelogram fluoroscopy are headaches, nausea, and vomiting, which can happen within 24 hours of your examination, and are all transitory and should pass. If these symptoms are severe or last longer than 24 hours, contact your doctor straightaway.

Sialogram side effects: Some people who have a sialogram fluoroscopy experience temporary swelling or aching in the face.

Fluoroscopy is a real-time X-ray imaging technique that allows doctors to see the movement of internal structures, such as organs, joints, or medical instruments. This procedure is commonly used to guide procedures like catheter placements, joint injections, or digestive system studies. 

Angiography, on the other hand, is a specific type of fluoroscopy that focuses on visualising blood vessels. During an angiogram, a contrast dye is injected into the bloodstream, and fluoroscopy is used to capture detailed images of arteries or veins to detect issues like blockages, narrowing, or aneurysms. 

In short, angiography is a specialised use of fluoroscopy for examining the vascular system.

This is because normally your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum do not show up on X-ray films as they are similar in density to the surrounding tissues. Barium is a harmless contrast which forms a thin lining on the inside of your stomach and digestive tract so that the surfaces are clearly outlined.

If you have a referral through ACC, you will not have to pay for your appointment.

If you want to book this procedure with a referral through private institutions or insurance plans, please contact us for a cost with a copy of your referral.