Learning more about your appointment with

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging that shows a continuous x-ray image on a monitor, much like an x-ray movie. During a fluoroscopy procedure, an X-ray beam is passed through the body. The image is transmitted to a monitor so the movement of a body part/function or of an instrument/contrast solution through the body can be seen in detail.

Essentially, fluoroscope allows your radiologists to see inside your body using a series of x-rays to produce a real-time video of the movements within the gastrointestinal system.

Sault Area Hospital Flouroscopy

Please choose from the list below to learn more about your specific exam:

A barium swallow test is a special type of imaging test that uses barium and x-rays to create images of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your upper GI tract includes the back of your mouth and throat (pharynx) and your esophagus.

Preparing for your appointment

What can I eat?

Nothing to eat or drink after 11:00 p.m. the night prior to your appointment. This also includes chewing gum.
 
No smoking after 11:00 p.m. the night prior to your appointment.
 
You may take any medication the day prior to your appointment but nothing after 11:00 p.m.
Please do not take any medication prior to coming to your appointment.
 

Before Your Exam/Test

Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing with no zippers or metal buttons and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.

About your appointment

What to expect.

When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to the diagnostic imaging department for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the X-ray waiting room until a Technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. 

You technologist will give you a drink called “Barium” and possibly a small container of gas crystals, which when swallowed will fill your stomach with gas making you feel like you might have to burp but you will be asked to refrain from doing so to ensure a successful study.

You will then be asked to lay back and will be directed to turn onto your sides or stomach by your radiologist so that the proper images can be acquired of your internal anatomy.

How long will it take?

Approximately 20 minutes.

After your appointment

After your appointment you may take any prescribed medication and resume your normal diet.

Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.

A small bowel follow-through, also called small bowel series, is a radiologic examination of the small intestine. This is an exam of your small bowels where you will need to drink mixture made up of barium and gastrograffin, which are both x-ray contrast solutions that can easily be seen on an x-ray.

Preparing for your appointment

What can I eat?

Nothing to eat or drink after 11:00 p.m. the night prior to your appointment. This also includes chewing gum.
 
No smoking after 11:00 p.m. the night prior to your appointment.
 
You may take any medication the day prior to your appointment but nothing after 11:00 p.m.
Please do not take any medication prior to coming to your appointment.
 

Before Your Exam/Test

Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing with no zippers or metal buttons and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.

About your appointment

What to expect.

When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to the diagnostic imaging department for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the X-ray waiting room until a Technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam. 

When the test is ready to begin your technologist will give you two cups of a barium mixture that need to be finished as soon as possible.

After 30 min, a x-ray of your abdomen will be taken to see how fast your body is digesting the drink.

The Radiologist will then decide how many x-rays need to be taken to get the information required for the report.

How long will it take?

This test can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

After your appointment

After your appointment you may take any prescribed medication and resume your normal diet.

Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.

A voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is an exam that takes images of the your urinary system.

During this exam a radiologist will take x-ray images of the bladder, ureters and kidneys by filling the bladder with a liquid x-ray contrast material. This can give the Radiologist information such as the size of the bladder and how well it can drain. 

Preparing for your appointment

What can I eat?

No restrictions.

Before Your Exam/Test

Take all prescribed medication as directed.

Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing with no zippers or metal buttons and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.

About your appointment

What to expect.

When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to Medical Day Care which is located in Ambulatory Care. After you register with Ambulatory Care. A nurse will a, take your vitals, go over your procedure for the day, you will have a catheter inserted into your bladder for the procedure.
 
Once you complete these steps in Medical Day Care, you will be transferred to diagnostic imaging by a member of hospital staff.
 

Once in Diagnostic Imaging, your technologist will fill your bladder through the catheter with an x-ray contrast and images will be taken. You will then be asked to lay back and will be directed to move around by your Radiologist so that the proper images can be acquired of your internal anatomy.

The catheter will then be removed and you may be required to void.

How long will it take?

Medical Day Care: Approximately 30 minutes.

Procedure: Approximately 30 minutes.

After your appointment

Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.

 

Medication prescribed by your physician can be injected into a joint space along with a numbing agent and x-ray contrast solution to mitigate patient joint pain. 

Preparing for your appointment

What can I eat?

No restrictions.

Before Your Exam/Test

Take all prescribed medication as directed.

Please ensure your physician has prescribed you the Depomedrol, and bring it with you.

*You must inform your booking clerk if you take a blood thinner as you may have to temporarily refrain from taking this medication prior to having this procedure done.

Please prepare for your exam by wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing and refrain from wearing jewelry for your technologist’s convenience.

About your appointment

What to expect.

When you arrive at the hospital, you will report to diagnostic imaging for your appointment and check in with registration. You will be asked to wait in the x-ray waiting room until a technologist is prepared to assist you for your exam.

You will be asked to lie on a procedure table and the technologist or radiologist will direct you on how to position your body for the procedure. 

For this procedure your radiologist will be injecting a steroid medication ordered by your physician into the affected joint space. They will use x-ray imaging to ensure proper needle placement, and will inject a small amount of x-ray dye into the joint space to ensure that the steroid is injected into the correct location.

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*Allergic reactions to the contrast solution, although are rare, are still possible. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include, but are not limited to itchiness, redness, hives, or shortness of breath. If you experience any sort of reaction during your time with us, immediately bring it to the attention of the technologist, nurse or radiologist involved with your procedure.

If you believe you are experiencing a delayed minor reaction after leaving the hospital such as hives, redness, itchiness, please contact your primary care provider/ordering physician, or pharmacist.

If you believe your reaction is more severe, such as impacting your ability to breath, please seek emergency care or call 9-1-1.

How long will it take?

Approximately 20 minutes.

After your appointment

Patient may resume light activity levels with the affected joint(s). Please ensure that you have a ride home from the hospital.

Your radiologist will report the findings to your ordering physician within 1-3 days, who you may contact for the results.