X-ray and fluoroscopy

When is X-ray used?

Your doctor may recommend an X-ray to:

• Diagnose broken bones or fractures.
• Assess your bone and joint health.
• Find foreign objects in your body.
• Look for breast cancer (mammogram).
• Help diagnose or track treatment of lung conditions, such as pneumonia, emphysema and lung cancer.
• Diagnose digestive conditions, such as intestinal blockages.

Real-time X-ray: fluoroscopy

A special type of X-ray, called a fluoroscopy, creates a real-time, movie-like image that’s displayed on a screen. Before some tests, you may take contrast material that helps certain organs or structures show up more clearly. Your doctor may recommend a fluoroscopy to:

• Examine a joint.
• Diagnose digestive health conditions.
• Find foreign objects in your body.
• Detect blockages in your heart arteries.
• Guide injections to your joints or spine.
• Help position medical devices or catheters.

Fluoroscopy is available at ProHealth Care’s hospitals in Mukwonago, Oconomowoc and Waukesha, and the Pewaukee clinical campus.

Diagnostic fluoroscopy tests

Look to ProHealth for a wide range of diagnostic fluoroscopy exams, including:

• Arthrography – Evaluates your joints.
• Hysterosalpingography (HSG) – Examines the uterus and fallopian tubes.
• Lower gastrointestinal tract radiography (barium X-ray) – Looks at the large intestine (colon).
• Myelogram – Assesses your spinal cord, nerve roots and spinal lining; may be used to check for disc abnormalities if you can’t undergo MRI.
• Upper gastrointestinal tract radiography – Looks at your esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine.
• Video fluoroscopic swallowing exam – Tests your ability to swallow so your care team can recommend foods you can eat safely.