What is X-ray – Fluoroscopy and How Does It Work?
X-rays are very short wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate matter to produce an image of bones and internal organs. Physicians and practitioners use x-ray images to confirm a diagnosis or a clinical finding, such as extremity fracture or pneumonia. When x-rays pass through a patient, the various parts of the body absorb the x-ray beam in different ways. Dense tissues, such as bones, appear white, and less dense tissues, such as muscles and organs, appear in shades of gray. X-rays that pass only through air appear black. X-ray dye or contrast mediums can be used in some examinations to make certain structures, such as the kidneys or bowel, visible on an x-ray image. Fluoroscopy is an x-ray technique that uses a fluoroscope—a device that projects radiographic (x-ray) images in a movie-like sequence onto a screen monitor. It is frequently used by radiologists as a guidance tool during interventional radiology procedures.
