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Fluoroscopy
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is a specialized type of x-ray that provides real-time, moving images of internal structures, functioning like a video rather than a still photograph.

What is fluoroscopy?

Fluoroscopy allows health care providers to watch body systems in action, such as the heart beating, lungs inflating, or the digestive tract moving food. It is used to evaluate the cardiovascular, digestive, and reproductive systems.

What is it used for?

Fluoroscopy is used for both diagnostic purposes and to guide medical procedures, including:

  • Barium swallow or enema: To observe the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Cardiac catheterization: To view blood flow through arteries.
  • Device placement: Ensuring the proper positioning of catheters or stents.
  • Orthopedic surgery: Guiding joint replacements or fracture repairs.
  • Hysterosalpingogram: Imaging the female reproductive organs.

What happens during fluoroscopy?

The procedure may take place in a hospital or an outpatient radiology center. Steps may include:

  • Removing metal objects or jewelry and wearing a hospital gown.
  • Wearing a lead shield to protect against unnecessary radiation.
  • Receiving contrast dye (orally, via IV, or via enema) to make internal structures more visible.
  • Being positioned on an x-ray table and following instructions to move or hold your breath.
  • The provider using a special x-ray scanner to view images on a computer screen.

Depending on the procedure, you may receive pain medication, sedatives, or general anesthesia.

Are there any risks to the test?

Fluoroscopy should not be performed if you are pregnant, as radiation can harm a developing baby. While the radiation dose is generally not considered harmful for most people, the cumulative risk depends on the number of x-ray procedures you have had over time. If contrast dye is used, there is a small risk of an allergic reaction; inform your provider if you have allergies to iodine or shellfish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fluoroscopy uses ionizing radiation, which can harm a developing fetus, especially during the first trimester. It is generally avoided in pregnant patients unless the benefit absolutely outweighs the risk (e.g., emergency obstetric procedures). When it must be performed, the radiology team uses lead shielding over the abdomen, limits exposure time, employs the lowest feasible dose settings, and may use alternative imaging (ultrasound or MRI) whenever possible.
You’ll be asked to fast for 6‑8 hours before the exam (clear liquids only). Your doctor may also advise you to stop certain medications that affect gut motility. On the day of the test, you’ll drink a thick, chalky‑tasting barium solution while the fluoroscope records real‑time images as it moves through your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. You’ll be asked to change positions and hold your breath briefly to get clear views. The procedure usually lasts 15‑30 minutes, and you can resume normal eating once the barium has cleared, which may take a few hours.
The catheterization itself usually lasts 30‑60 minutes, but you should plan for a total visit of 2‑4 hours to allow for preparation, recovery, and observation. After the procedure you’ll lie flat for several hours to reduce bleeding at the catheter insertion site (often the femoral artery). Your nurse will check vital signs, puncture site, and urine output. You’ll be instructed to keep the leg straight, avoid heavy lifting for 24‑48 hours, and watch for signs of bleeding or infection. Follow‑up labs and a clinic visit are typically scheduled within a week.
Iodinated contrast agents can cause mild reactions (warmth, itching, nausea) in up to 10 % of patients and rare severe reactions (anaphylaxis) in <0.01 %. Before the exam, you’ll be asked about prior contrast reactions, asthma, or kidney disease. If you have a known mild allergy, pre‑medication with antihistamines and steroids may be given. In the event of a severe reaction, the team will stop the dye, administer oxygen, epinephrine, antihistamines, and monitor you closely. Most reactions are promptly treated and resolve without lasting effects.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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