Fluoroscopy and Interventional Radiology

Fluoroscopy utilizes a continuous source of X-rays and an immediate display to facilitate real-time image projection and evaluation. This chapter provides a practical foundation for understanding fluoroscopic technology, its clinical applications in zoo and wildlife medicine, and essential safety considerations for both patients and personnel. Interventional radiography (IR) aids clinicians in directing efforts for either diagnostic purposes, treatment/therapy, or a combination of the two. The potential powers of IR include confirming that collected samples are representative of the disease, assessing a lesion “in action,” and asserting that placement of a therapy is at the desired location. Ultrasound provides real-time, radiation-free image guidance for minimally invasive procedures. Real-time CT fluoroscopy is possible on advanced CT systems, providing continuous evaluation of contiguous CT axial images from a region of interest.