Fluoroscopic Examination

Fluoroscopic Screening

Fluoroscopic screening is a specialised type of x-ray imaging procedure used to produce 2D moving images of internal parts of the body.

An x-ray is a safe and simple procedure used to develop an internal image of the body. Radiation passes through the body creating a residual image. Denser areas of the body, like bones, appear white, while the softer organs and tissues are much darker.

What is Fluoroscopic Screening?

Typically, during fluoroscopic screening, a liquid contrast medium like barium or iodine is used to highlight specific, less dense areas, such as blood vessels and organs. X-rays are then passed through the body to capture live, 2D images, which can be recorded and examined.

The contrast medium may need to be ingested, injected or inserted via an enema depending on which area of the body is being tested.

Types of Fluoroscopic Screening

Our practice offers six types of Fluoroscopic Screening

1. Contrast Swallow
2. Contrast Meal
3. Contrast Follow Through
4. Contrast Enema
5. Voiding Cystourethrogram
6. Retrograde Urethrogram

1 - Contrast Swallow Fluoroscopy

What Is a Paediatric Contrast Swallow Fluoroscopy?

A contrast swallow, also known as barium swallow, is a fluoroscopy treatment that allows us to view the oesophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and stomach in your child. This is done with the use of an x-ray machine and a contrast agent that your child will drink.

What Conditions Does Contrast Swallow Fluoroscopy Evaluate?

Contrast Swallow Fluoroscopy can help evaluate children with suspected:

• Swallowing Problems
• Reflux (GERD)
• Urinary tract disorders

What Are Common Contrast Swallow Fluoroscopy Uses?

Contrast Swallow Fluoroscopy is used to:

• Check to see whether your child is ready to transition from tube to oral feeding
• Utilise to accurately diagnose a child's swallowing disorder and determine the most effective treatment options for him or her.



The benefits of fluoroscopy in diagnosing illnesses and performing medical treatments outweigh the danger of injury.

2 - Contrast Meal Fluoroscopy

What Is a Paediatric Contrast Meal Fluoroscopy?

A paediatric barium meal is a procedure that examines the stomach and small intestine of a child (or bowel).

It's sometimes done with a barium swallow,' which shows the oesophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach), or barium 'follow through,' which shows the small intestine.

What Conditions Does Contrast Meal Fluoroscopy Evaluate?

Contrast Meal Fluoroscopy can help evaluate children with suspected

•  upper abdominal pain and/or persistent vomiting
•  blockage or twisting of the upper intestine

What Are Common Contrast Meal Fluoroscopy Uses?

Contrast Meal Fluoroscopy is used to position and size of the stomach and small intestine, as well as whether or not there is a blockage, which can all be seen with a paediatric barium meal.

Benefits of a Contrast Meal Fluoroscopy

A paediatric barium meal exposes the stomach's outline, the first section of the small intestine, and any unusual stomach position. It is safe and does not require your child to be sedated or admitted to the hospital.

Other tests can't indicate the position of the stomach and small intestine as well as this one.

3 - Contrast Follow-Through Fluoroscopy

What Is a Contrast Follow-Through Fluoroscopy?

A barium follow-through examination involves utilising barium contrast (a nontoxic thick, white liquid that can easily be seen on X-rays) to analyse your child's stomach and small intestine while X-ray images are taken.

What Conditions Does Contrast Follow-Through Fluoroscopy Evaluate?

Contrast Follow-Through Fluoroscopy can help evaluate children with suspected: 

• strictures
• obstruction
• diverticula
• masses
• extraluminal tethering
• abnormal motility

What Are Common Contrast Follow-Through Fluoroscopy Uses?

Contrast Follow-Through Fluoroscopy is used to:

• Examine the small intestine for size and form abnormalities,
• Evaluate how waste matter moves through it

It can also be used to diagnose illnesses like:

• Crohn's disease
• small bowel obstruction
• inflammatory bowel disease
• abnormal masses or polyps
• cancer of the small intestine
• complications related to surgery on the abdomen or bowel

Benefits of a Contrast Follow-Through Fluoroscopy

Benefits include:

• Abdominal x-ray imaging is a non-invasive, painless technique with little side effects.
• Radiology exams can often provide enough information to allow for the avoidance of more invasive procedures.
• After an x-ray checkup, no radiation is left in your body.
• In the conventional diagnostic range for this scan, X-rays usually have no side effects.

4 - Contrast Enema Fluoroscopy

What Is a Contrast Enema Fluoroscopy?

A contrast enema also known as barium enema is an x-ray procedure that shows the structure of the rectum, colon, and large intestine by using a water-soluble contrast agent including iodine or barium. 

What Conditions Does Contrast Enema Fluoroscopy Evaluate?

Contrast Enema Fluoroscopy can help evaluate children with suspected

• Constipation
• Abdominal Pain
• Bowel Changes
• Recurrent Diarrhoea
• Unexplained weight loss
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Hirschsprung disease

Problems with the structure of the large intestine can all be checked with enemas.

What Are Common Contrast Enema Fluoroscopy Uses?

Contrast Enema Fluoroscopy is used to diagnose

• Ulcerative colitis. Ulcerations and inflammation of the large intestine.
• Crohn's disease. Ulcerations and inflammation occur in any part of the GI tract (mouth to anus).
• Obstructions and polyps (growths)
• Cancer
• Unusual bloating or lower abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Changes in bowel movements. Such as chronic diarrhoea or constipation, or passing of blood, mucus, and/or pus.

Your doctor may recommend a barium enema for a variety of reasons.

Benefits of a Contrast Enema Fluoroscopy

The contrast or barium agent is injected into the rectum and can reveal specific information to the clinician that a physical examination cannot.

5 - Voiding Cystourethrogram Fluoroscopy

What Is a Voiding Cystourethrogram Fluoroscopy?

A voiding cystourethrogram, or VCUG, is a minimally invasive test that employs fluoroscopy, a type of x-ray technology, to visualise your child's urinary tract and bladder.

What Conditions Does Voiding Cystourethrogram Fluoroscopy Evaluate?

Voiding Cystourethrogram Fluoroscopy can help evaluate children with suspected

• Persistent urinary tract infections,
• To evaluate reflux after certain medical procedures,
• Your family history of reflux,
• Prior urethral trauma, infections or surgery.

What Are Common Voiding Cystourethrogram Fluoroscopy Uses?

A voiding cystourethrogram allows a radiologist to detect irregularities in the flow of urine through the lower urinary tract. Following a urinary tract infection, this test is frequently indicated to assess for vesicoureteral reflux.

Benefits of a Voiding Cystourethrogram Fluoroscopy

Benefits include:

• In patients with urinary tract infections, voiding cystourethrography provides crucial, detailed information to help physicians prevent kidney damage.
• Physicians can use the results of the test to assess whether or not therapy is required. Some illnesses do not require treatment, while others may necessitate the use of drugs. Some people may even require surgery.
• After an x-ray checkup, no radiation is left in your body.
• In the conventional diagnostic range for this exam, X-rays have no known negative effects

6 - Retrograde Urethrogram Fluoroscopy

What Is a Retrograde Urethrogram Fluoroscopy?

Retrograde urethrography is a rare procedure that can be done by a paediatric radiologist. 

A meticulous method is required for various indications to properly demonstrate the urethra and its abnormalities. 

When antegrade urethrography is difficult or impossible to perform and a suspected abnormality needs to be shown or ruled out, retrograde urethrography may be required. This treatment is nearly entirely performed on men.

What Conditions Does Retrograde Urethrogram Fluoroscopy Evaluate?

Retrograde Urethrogram Fluoroscopy can help evaluate children with suspected: 

• Urethral trauma
• Stricture/Stenosis
• Rare malformations
• Fistula
• Utricle

What Are Common Retrograde Urethrogram Fluoroscopy Uses?

This examination will assist your doctor in making an accurate diagnosis or treatment decision for you. A urethrogram may be performed to check for any issues, such as difficulties urinating, or as a follow-up examination following an operation.