Pediatric Fluoroscopy
What is Fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy is an x-ray machine that takes real time pictures and movies of the child’s body. Different from conventional radiographs that takes static pictures.
What to expect when doing a Fluoroscopy Exam
Before the Exam:
During scheduling, any especial instructions (fasting, etc) will be giving to the parents. The need for sedation will also be discussed.
If your child does NOT need sedation or anesthesia to complete the exam, you and your child will come to the radiology department at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. If you child does need sedation or anesthesia a nurse will call you 1-3 days before the appointment with fasting instructions. You will be asked to arrive 60-90 minutes before the scheduled study and sent to the Children’s Sedation and Surgery Center after checking in through registration.
Your child will be asked to remove clothing that may interfere with the images, such as any zippers, buttons, or other metals. A hospital gown may be use as needed. Parents may accompany the child in the room if NO sedation or anesthesia is needed. Parents will be asked to wear a protective lead gown.
During the Exam:
Fluoroscopic exams are mostly performed with the use of dye (contrast). Contrast will highlight in real time the body part being studied, giving both anatomical and functional information. Contrast can be used orally (patient drinking the contrast during the exam); via tubes/ lines already in the patient’s body or via the patient’s urethra (the channel by which the child pee). Contrast is administered via the child’s urethra in voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) exams. A urethral catheter will need to be placed by the radiology team prior to the exam (unless the child already has one). Our nationally recognized pediatric sedation service can provide sedation when needed.
Our trained radiographer will position the child for the exam. For very young children, immobilization devices may be needed. These devices do not hurt the patient but are very important in maintaining the young child still and safe during the exam.
A conventional radiograph (X-ray scout) is usually performed first. The child will be laying down on the exam table. After the scout, the radiology doctor will then join the room to perform the dynamic portions of the exam. During these exams, the patient will be moved by the radiology team or be asked to move to different positions to help with the visualization of the body part in question.
The dynamic part of the exam may take 15-30 minutes, depending on the body part being imaged. When a small bowel follow-through exam is ordered, the child will need additional static radiographs every few minutes until the contrast material reaches the large bowel. This may take 30 min to several hours, depending on the patient.
After the Exam:
After the exam is completed and performed without sedation, the child may go home or to the next appointment.
Our trained radiology doctors will review the images on a computer and give a radiology report. The report will be available on the child’s medical record and reviewed by the ordering physician.
Additional information can be found at:
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/for-kids
https://www.imagegentlyparents.org