On the day of a fluoroscopy screening, patients are asked to arrive 15-30 minutes prior to their scheduled exam time to complete paperwork and change clothes, if necessary. Patients should also bring their written prescription from their physician with them to the exam. In addition, many fluoroscopic procedures require specific preparation prior to the procedure. Imaging center scheduling personnel will provide patients with special diet and procedure preparations when an initial appointment is made. Patients should also inform their physician if they are taking GLUCOPHAGE (METFORMIN) OR GLUCOVANCE (GLYBURIDE/METFORMIN) for a diabetic condition, as these medications can interfere with the screening.

During the procedure, patients will be requested to stand or lie on an examination table as the radiologist moves the fluoroscope equipment around the anatomy of interest. The radiologist will instruct patients to hold their breath or change positions as necessary, so he or she can see the area of interest from a variety of different angles. The entire procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours, depending on the type of procedure required. The radiologist will interpret your results and dictate a written report, which will be forwarded to the referring physician generally within 24 to 48 hours of completion of the procedure, and the physician will convey the results of the procedure to the patient.

As a general rule, women should always inform their doctor and radiologic technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant, or if they are breast feeding. The referring physician, in conjunction with the radiologist, will determine if the procedure is appropriate or whether another diagnostic procedure should be recommended.