Fluoroscope Health Article

Maintenance

A fluoroscope is usually maintained either through a service contract with the manufacturer, a third-party service company, or by the hospital biomedical engineering department. The x-ray technologist operating the fluoro-scope may perform periodic performance testing to check image quality, radiation dose, and other imaging parameters. A quality control program should be implemented

KEY TERMS

Brachytherapy—A radiation therapy treatment in which a radioactive source material is inserted, injected, or implanted into the cancerous area; fluoroscopy is frequently used to guide placement of brachytherapy sources.

Discography—A radiographic/fluoroscopic imaging procedure that involves injecting contrast material into an intervertebral disk.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)—A procedure that involves inserting an endoscope through the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and into the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum) to examine the pancreas, pancreatic ducts, and bile ducts. A catheter is threaded through the endoscope to inject dye, and x-ray and fluoroscopic imaging are performed.

Lithotripsy—A procedure that uses fluoroscopic guidance to locate and break up stones in the urinary tract and gallbladder.

Myelography—A fluoroscopic imaging procedure that examines the spinal cord and is used for diagnosing such conditions as spinal abscesses, tumors, and dislocated intervertebral disks.

to ensure optimal image quality and minimal radiation doses.

Health care team roles

Fluoroscopic imaging may be performed by x-ray technologists, radiologists, surgeons, cardiologists, and other health care professionals. For such diagnostic procedures as an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, the fluoroscopic examination is performed by a radiologist and an x-ray technologist in a hospital radiology department or an outpatient imaging center. For such orthopedic procedures as arthroscopy, an orthopedic surgeon and x-ray technologist perform the fluoroscopic examination. For interventional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, an interventional radiologist, cardiovascular specialist, and x-ray technologist are involved in the fluoroscopic procedure. Nursing staff may be present to assist during fluoroscopic procedures, depending on the condition of the patient and whether medication administration is necessary. Mini-C-arms have clinical applications outside the hospital, and thus may be used in medical emergencies at sporting events, and in sports medicine and physical therapy facilities.

Training

Use of a fluoroscope requires training in radiographic and fluoroscopic principles and techniques. X-ray technologists should have completed appropriate educational programs (registered technologist programs). Any staff using fluoroscopic equipment should participate in clinical training provided by the equipment manufacturer.

BOOKS

Dendy, P.P., and B. Heaton. Physics for Diagnostic Radiology, 2nd edition. Philadelphia, PA: Institute of Physics Publishing, 1999.

PERIODICALS

Aliabadi, D et al. "Rapid Bedside Coronary Angiography with a Portable Fluoroscopic Imaging System." Catheterization and Cardiovascular Diagnosis 41, no.4 (August 1997): 449-55.

Hernandez, R. J., and M. M. Goodsitt. "Reduction of

Radiation Dose in Pediatric Patients Using Pulsed Fluoroscopy." American Journal of Roentgenology 167, no. 5 (November 1996): 1247-53.

ORGANIZATIONS

American College of Radiology. 1891 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4397. (800) 227-5463. <http://www.acr.org>.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 1255 Northland Drive, St. Paul, MN 55120-1155. (651) 687-0048. <http://www.arrt.org>.

American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). 15000 Central Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123-2778. (800) 444-2778. <http://www.asrt.org>.

Jennifer E. Sisk, M.A.