What is an X-ray?
An X-ray is one of the most common medical images. Your doctor may order an X-ray to look for pneumonia, a broken bone, or some other condition. In some cases, your doctor may also order fluoroscopy, which is a type of medical imaging that produces a continuous X-ray image on a monitor. Dr. Deepak Das and the other radiologists at Excel Medical Imaging in New Port Richey, Florida, are proud to offer both of these services to their patients. X-rays are performed on a walk-in basis, but you are welcome to call in ahead of time to get an estimated wait time based on current patient volume. To book a fluoroscopic appointment, please call the office.
X-rays and Fluoroscopy Q & A
An X-ray is a medical imaging test that produces images of your bones and other structures inside your body for diagnostic purposes. X-rays are useful for:
- Diagnosing arthritis
- Looking for broken bones or bone infections
- Diagnosing lung infections
- Evaluating blood vessels for blockages
- Looking for foreign objects in the body
Fluoroscopy is another type of imaging scan that’s related to an X-ray, but fluoroscopy captures a continuous X-ray image that shows up on a monitor, similar to a movie. The purpose of the test is to obtain more information about your internal structures by capturing the movement of different parts of your body. In some cases, your radiologist may also use contrast during this scan.
Radiologists can use fluoroscopy for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. Some of the most common uses of fluoroscopy include:
- Biopsies
- Hysterosalpingogram
- Lumbar punctures
- Barium X-rays
- Injections into your spine or joints
- Locating foreign bodies
Both X-ray and fluoroscopy expose your body to a certain amount of radiation, which may raise your risk of developing cancer in the future. The exact amount of radiation exposure you have during each procedure depends on the tissue or organ your doctor wants to examine, as well as your age. The radiation exposure from an X-ray is generally considered low, and the benefits outweigh the risks for most patients.
If your X-ray or fluoroscopy involves contrast, there’s a small risk of allergic reaction as well. Be sure to tell the staff at Excel Medical Imaging if you’re pregnant before scheduling either of these scans.
During a basic X-ray, the part of your body being scanned is positioned in a specific way to capture the best view, and then you hold as still as possible during the procedure. In most cases, more than one X-ray image is captured.
The exact procedure for the fluoroscopy depends on the purpose of the test or treatment. Your doctor or the Excel Medical Imaging staff tells you what to expect before the procedure begins.