X-ray and fluoroscopy both play an essential role in the medical field. They allow doctors to see inside the body without making a large incision, which can be necessary for some surgeries. X-rays are also used for dental work and other procedures requiring imaging of teeth and other parts of the head and neck. Fluoroscopy is often used to examine the digestive tract, heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
What is an X-Ray?
An X-ray is a special imaging test that uses ionising radiation to look at the internal structures of your body. The X-ray machine uses a beam of high-energy radiation to take pictures of your bones and tissues. The pictures are called radiographs, or x-rays for short.
X-rays help diagnose medical conditions such as broken bones, lung cancer, heart disease, and other diseases.
How Does It Work?
The X-ray machine sends a radiation beam (called “x-rays”) that passes through your body. Some of the radiation is absorbed by your tissues, and some pass through them. The beam stops when it hits something dense like bone or metal. An image is made from these shadows by using a special device called an x-ray detector. This device converts the energy of the x-rays into electrical signals, which then create an image on film (or on a computer screen).
What is Fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses X-rays to make moving images of the body. It’s often used to examine the heart and blood vessels or to see how well the joint moves.
Fluoroscopy can be done using different types of radiation. The most commonly used type is called fluoroscopic X-ray, which works by projecting X-rays through the body onto a fluorescent screen. The image you see on this screen was an afterimage of your body’s appearance when it was exposed to X-rays.
A fluoroscopic X-ray machine will move around as you’re being examined so that different body parts can be imaged sequentially. This allows your doctor to watch something happening inside your body at any given time instead of just seeing static pictures taken at different points.
When do Doctors Use Fluoroscopy?
Doctors use fluoroscopy to:
- The insertion of numerous catheters into a patient’s blood vessels
A doctor may insert a catheter into a blood vessel so they can inject contrast dye into it. This allows the doctor to see and view blood flow through the body, which helps them detect possible problems or issues with blood flow.
- Performing Angiograms
An angiogram is an X-ray that takes pictures of the inside of the heart and its surrounding structures (like arteries). It’s usually done after cardiac arrest to check for underlying causes like blockages or irregular blood flow through these arteries/vessels.
- Enemas or x-rays for gastrointestinal purposes
Doctors use fluoroscopy to identify abnormalities in the intestines and other organs. For example, if a patient has abdominal pain and a doctor suspects that a problem with their intestines is causing it, they may recommend an x-ray or an enema. If the patient does not have any visible problems with their digestive system, they might need additional testing such as esophageal manometry or barium swallow study.
- During Orthopedic Surgical Procedures
Orthopedic surgeons use fluoroscopy to help them determine whether they need to perform surgery on certain bones in your body (like your hip). They do this by taking x-rays of your hip joint while it’s moving so they can see how well it moves compared to other joints in your body.
What’s the difference between an X-ray and a fluoroscopy?
X-rays and fluoroscopy are medical imaging techniques used to visualize internal body structures. They reveal different details about the body and its condition.
X-ray imaging uses a static image to show bone, tissue, and other structures inside the body that block light. Fluoroscopy uses a live “video” format image to show how organs function in real time as they move through their normal range of motion.
X-rays carry a smaller risk of radiation-related risks than fluoroscopy because they expose patients to less radiation than fluoroscopic imaging.
How Do I Choose the Right Imaging Scan?
When you need to see a doctor, you might feel like there are so many different options. Your doctor can help you determine which imaging scan is best for your situation. They will consider your medical history and the information they need from the test.
Some tests are better for patients with certain conditions or specific parts of the body. For example, if you have had cancer in the past, X-rays may not be as helpful because they can cause more damage than other types of scans. Fluoroscopy is a good alternative because it uses less radiation than other scans and does not require an injection before the test begins.
On the other hand, if you are pregnant or have metal implants or devices in your body (such as pacemakers), X-ray scans may not be right for you because they expose your unborn child to more radiation than other tests. In this case, doctors may recommend CT scans instead because they use less radiation than traditional X-ray machines (but still require an injection first).
What are the other types of Imaging Scanning Techniques?
Some of the other imaging scanning techniques include:
- CT (computed tomography) scan
A CT scan is a type of x-ray that uses a computer to create images of the inside of your body. It looks for cancer, fractures, and other internal problems.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
An MRI is a powerful tool doctors use to give them a better picture of what’s happening inside you without cutting into your skin. An MRI can show how well your organs are working and can help detect any abnormal tissue. They’re also used to diagnose disease in pregnant people or have metal implants or pacemakers since these factors may prevent an x-ray from being done safely.
- Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of soft tissues inside the body. These sound waves bounce off objects in your body and return echoes to the scanner to display as pictures on a monitor. Ultrasounds are commonly used in pregnancy because they are safer than x-rays for babies growing inside their mother’s womb.
- Nuclear medicine imaging, including positron-emission tomography (PET)
This is another medical imaging technology that uses radioactive drugs to help doctors diagnose certain conditions, such as cancer or heart disease.
Final Word
The X-Ray and Fluoroscopy machines use a tube placed into your mouth and down your throat. This tube allows the x-ray machine to see what is going on in your mouth. The Fluoroscopy machine uses the same tube and a special liquid that shows up on the screen when it is used to visualize inside your mouth.
The X-ray machine will beep when it detects radiation from your body, which will appear as black areas on the screen. The Fluoroscopy machine will also beep when it detects radiation from your body, showing an image of what is happening inside you.