X-rays are a type of ionizing radiation. This ionizing capability of X-rays is used in medicine for both diagnosis and less frequently for the treatment of certain disorders. X-rays are useful in the detection of pathology of the skeletal system as well as for detecting some disease processes in soft tissue and is often one of the first special investigations your doctor will send you for.

Fluoroscopy is a specialised imaging technique using X-rays. Fluoroscopy is used by radiologists (and some other specialists)  to obtain real-time moving images of the internal structures of a patient.

This method may use a contrast material and some procedures require preparations from the day before such as fasting or cleansing of the bowel.

Some types of fluoroscopy examinations are barium swallows – to examine for oesophageal disorders; gastric procedures including barium meals to examine the stomach as well as adjustments of surgical bands; barium enemas – to examine the large bowel and arthrogram – where contrast media are injected into a joint.

With the introduction of digital radiology, the overall quality of our radiology service has vastly improved.