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Fluoroscopy is a test that uses a steady beam of X-ray to look at
parts of the body and movement within the body, such as blood moving through a
blood vessel. Fluoroscopy also can be used to help find a foreign object in the
body, position a needle for a medical procedure, or realign a broken bone. A
dye (contrast material) that shows up on fluoroscopy can be put in a vein (IV)
or swallowed so vessels or organs show up clearly.
Fluoroscopy usually is done during other diagnostic procedures. For
example, fluoroscopy is done during cardiac catheterization to look at the
coronary arteries and the flow of blood through them. Fluoroscopy also may be
used to look at the urinary tract or during a hysterosalpingogram to look at a
woman's reproductive organs.
Fluoroscopy uses more radiation than standard X-rays.
Current as of:
November 20, 2015
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
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