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All forms should be completed in advance of your appointment. Please follow the links below to access the Fluoroscopy Form required for your upcoming appointment.
Please notify our staff when scheduling and checking in for your appointment if any of the following apply to you:
Arrive at the time of your appointment. Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian is limiting the number of patients in our offices at any one time. Patients who arrive early may be asked to return at the time they are scheduled.
Unless needed for physical assistance or to translate for you, visitors are not allowed to accompany patients at any of our practices. For pediatric patients, one parent may accompany a child.
Wearing the right clothing may eliminate the need for you to change into a gown prior to your exam.
Depending on the type of exam you are having, you may need to fast before your exam.
All of our imaging practices have procedures in place to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. These include:
All patients and visitors are clinically screened upon arrival including a temperature check.
Patient verification is an important part of your safety and you will be asked to verify your identification and your exam several times during your appointment. Our check-in staff will review your completed registration forms with you.
For many exams you will not have to change into a gown unless you are wearing something that contains metal (see guidelines above). Some exams do require that you are in a gown. You will be asked to remove and place your electronic devices, wallet, credit cards, metro card, watch, jewelry, belt, hairpins, eyeglasses, hearing aid, or any removable dental pieces into the provided lockers.
Fluoroscopy is a study of moving body structures - similar to an x-ray "movie." A continuous x-ray beam is passed through the body part being examined, and is transmitted to a TV-like monitor so that the body part and its motion can be seen in detail.
Fluoroscopy, as an imaging tool, enables physicians to look at many body systems, including the skeletal, digestive, urinary, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Fluoroscopy may be performed to evaluate specific areas of the body, including the bones, muscles, and joints, as well as solid organs such as the heart, lung, or kidneys.
Fluoroscopy is used in many types of examinations and procedures, such as barium x-rays, cardiac catheterization, arthrography (visualization of a joint or joints), lumbar puncture, placement of intravenous (IV) catheters (hollow tubes inserted into veins or arteries), intravenous pyelogram, hysterosalpingogram, and biopsies.
Fluoroscopy may be used alone as a diagnostic procedure, or may be used in conjunction with other diagnostic or therapeutic media or procedures.
In barium x-rays, fluoroscopy used alone allows the physician to see the movement of the intestines as the barium moves through them. In cardiac catheterization, fluoroscopy is added to enable the physician to see the flow of blood through the coronary arteries in order to evaluate the presence of arterial blockages. For intravenous catheter insertion, fluoroscopy assists the physician in guiding the catheter into a specific location inside the body.
The use of barium with standard x-rays contributes to the visibility of various characteristics of the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Barium is a dry, white, chalky, metallic powder that is mixed with water to make barium liquid. Barium is an x-ray absorber and appears white on x-ray film. When administered into the GI tract, barium coats the inside wall of the esophagus, stomach, large intestine, and/or small intestine so that the inside wall lining, size, shape, contour, and patency (openness) are visible on x-ray. This process shows differences that might not be seen on standard x-rays. Barium is used only for diagnostic studies of the GI tract. As an alternate to barium, a clear watery dye may be used in certain situations.
Fluoroscopy is often used during a barium x-ray. Fluoroscopy is a study of moving body structures - similar to an x-ray “movie.” A continuous x-ray beam is passed through the body part being examined, and is transmitted to a TV-like monitor so that the body part and its motion can be seen in detail. In a barium x-ray, fluoroscopy allows the radiologist to see the movement of the barium through the GI tract as it is administered through the mouth or the rectum.
Reasons for performing barium x-ray procedures may include the following:
Additional procedures are often performed in conjunction with or as a result of barium x-rays. These procedures may include endoscopic examinations (an endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a body cavity and, using fiber optic technology, provides direct visualization of the inside of the cavity), computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and intra-cavity ultrasound.
There are three types of barium x-ray procedures, including the following:
A barium enema involves filling the large intestine with diluted barium liquid while x-ray images are being taken. Barium enemas are used to diagnose disorders of the large intestine, colon, and rectum. These disorders may include colonic tumors, polyps, diverticula, and anatomical abnormalities.
Usually, a barium enema can be performed on an outpatient basis. The patient may be asked to do the following in preparation for a barium enema:
These measures are done to empty the large intestine, as any residue (feces) can obscure the image. However, a barium enema may be done without preparation, for example, to diagnose Hirschsprung's disease.
Although each hospital may have specific protocols in place, generally, a barium enema procedure follows this process:
A barium small-bowel enema is also called enteroclysis. The procedure involves filling the small intestine with barium liquid while x-ray images are being taken. Barium small-bowel enemas are used to diagnose disorders of the stomach and small intestine, such as ulcers and tumors.
Usually, a barium small-bowel enema can be performed on an outpatient basis. Patients may be asked to refrain from eating or drinking after midnight on the night before the examination. An enema or laxative may be given on the day before the test to clear feces from the bowel.
Although each hospital may have specific protocols in place, generally, a barium small-bowel procedure follows this process:
A barium swallow, also called an upper GI series, is an examination of the esophagus and stomach using barium to coat the walls of the upper digestive tract so that it may be examined under x-ray. Barium swallows are used to identify any abnormalities such as tumors, ulcers, hernias, pouches, strictures, and swallowing difficulties.
Usually, a barium swallow can be performed on an outpatient basis. Patients may be advised not to eat or drink after midnight on the night before the examination.
Although each hospital may have specific protocols in place, generally, a barium swallow procedure follows this process:
An upper gastrointestinal study with a small bowel follow-through is another type of barium study that may be used to evaluate certain conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic/recurrent abdominal pain, and vomiting.