General X-ray, Fluoroscopy and IVP

What are x-ray studies?
Are x-rays safe?
What are "contrast" or fluoroscopy studies?
What is an IVP?
What are some common fluoroscopy studies?
How do I prepare for my study?
Where does WRA perform general x-ray?
Where does WRA perform contrast studies (fluoroscopy) and IVP?

What are x-ray studies?
The x-ray has been called one of the most significant advances in all of medical history. It is used in many different ways in medical diagnosis. An x-ray image is produced when a small amount of radiation passes through the body and strikes a sheet of sensitive film placed on the other side of the body. The ability of x-rays to penetrate tissues and bones varies according to the tissue's composition and mass.

Bone, which contains calcium, does not let much radiation through and results in white images on the x-ray film. The lungs, which are filled with air, allow nearly all x-rays to strike the film resulting in a black film image.

Are x-rays safe?
There is general agreement within the medical community that the small theoretical risks associated with the use of radiation are greatly outweighed by the information x-rays provide relating to a patient's condition. Improved film quality and advances in electronic technology have helped create better images faster using lower doses of radiation.

What are "contrast" or fluoroscopy studies?
The body's soft tissue organs, such as the stomach, liver, and intestines have a density which gives an external outline but does not show the inner parts of these structures. This problem can be solved in "hollow" organs such as the stomach and the intestines by introducing a contrast material such as barium which can be swallowed or given as an enema. Air and barium can be used together as a "double contrast" study for greater detail. These studies are also called "fluoroscopy" studies. Some iodine solutions block x-rays in blood vessels or kidneys enabling those structures to be seen on film or video for later review.

What is an IVP?
IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram) or Bolus Infusion Urogram is an x-ray study whereby the patient is injected with a contrast agent and x-rays are taken so the radiologist can study the kidneys, ureters and bladder.

What are some common fluoroscopy studies?
Upper GI Series: Examines the esophagus and stomach.
Barium Enema: Examines the large intestine (colon).
Barium Swallow or Esophagram: Examines the esophagus.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): Examines the uterus and fallopian tubes.

How do I prepare for my study?
The following details the preparations necessary before having specific exams. Be sure to have your appointment scheduled before beginning any preparation.

GENERAL X-RAYS
No appointment or preparation is required, however, weight restrictions do apply to some diagnostic x-ray studies at WRA. If you are a patient that weighs more than 300 pounds, please call the WRA office nearest you to confirm that your exam can be performed.

BARIUM ENEMA/COLON
This examination lasts approximately 1 hour. Please follow the directions carefully to ensure that you have a clean colon. Do not eat any fruit or vegetables for two days before the exam. In addition:

The day before your appointment:
- The entire day before your appointment, drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. No breakfast or snacks.
- At 1 pm, 3 pm, 7 pm and 10 pm, drink one full glass of water (or more).
- At 5 pm take 10 ounces (one bottle) of magnesium citrate (laxative) by mouth.
- At 8 pm take four Dulcolax or Biscolax tablets (laxative) by mouth.
- Do NOT take any cleansing enemas or suppositories prior to your examination.

The day of your appointment

ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS.

office locations

IVP/BOLUS INFUSION UROGRAM
This examination lasts approximately 1 hour.

The day before your appointment:
- Prior to taking magnesium citrate, you may have a regular diet.
- At 5 pm take 10 ounces (one bottle) of magnesium citrate (laxative) by mouth. You may have a light evening meal.

The day of your appointment:
- In the morning you may have ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. However, your fluid intake MUST be limited to no more than eight ounces during the four hours prior to your examination.

BARIUM ENEMA AND IVP/BOLUS INFUSION UROGRAM/IVP COMBINED STUDIES
This examination lasts approximately 2 hours. Please follow the directions carefully to ensure that you have a clean colon. Do not eat any fruit or vegetables for two days before exam. in addition:

The day before your appointment:
- The entire day before your appointment drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. No breakfast or snacks.
- At 1 pm, 3 pm, 7 pm and 10 pm, drink one full glass of water (or more).
- At 5 pm take 10 ounces (one bottle) of magnesium citrate (laxative) by mouth.
- At 8 pm take four Dulcolax or Biscolax tablets (laxative) by mouth.
- Do NOT take any cleansing enemas or suppositories prior to your examination.

The day of your appointment:
- In the morning you may have ONLYCLEAR LIQUIDS. However, your fluid intake must be limited to no more than eight ounces during the four hours prior to your examination.
- Adequate bowel cleansing is essential to perform this exam. If you are passing any stool or stool particles, please call the office where your appointment is scheduled (office locations) on the morning of your exam. You may need a second day of bowel preparation prior to your exam.

UPPER GI
This examination lasts approximately one hour. We ask our patients not to take medications by mouth on the day of the exam as this could interfere with the quality of the exam. However, please consult with your physician if there are medications that you feel are necessary to take.

Morning Appointments
- After 8 pm the day prior to your exam do not eat any solid food.
- After 8 pm and until midnight the day prior to your exam, drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS.
- After midnight, do NOT eat, drink (NOT EVEN WATER), smoke or chew gum until after the examination is over.

Afternoon Appointments
- Do NOT eat, drink (NOT EVEN WATER), smoke or chew gum for six hours prior to your study and until it is completed.

UPPER GI WITH SMALL BOWEL
This examination lasts two to five hours. We ask our patients not to take medications by mouth on the day of the exam as this could interfere with the quality of the exam. However, please consult with your physician if there are medications that you feel are necessary to take.

Morning Appointments
- After 8 pm the day prior to your exam do not eat any solid food.
- After 8 pm and until midnight the day prior to your exam, drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS.
- After midnight, do NOT eat, drink (NOT EVEN WATER), smoke or chew gum until after the examination is over.

Afternoon Appointments
- Do NOT eat, drink (NOT EVEN WATER), smoke or chew gum for six hours prior to your study and until it is completed.

HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM (HSG)
For premenopausal women, this exam must be performed between day 6 and 11 of the patient’s menstrual cycle. Thirty to sixty minutes prior to exam, take 2 tablets of Ibuprofen (if allowed by your doctor) with food. This exam cannot be performed during the patient’s menstrual period, if there is a possibility of the patient being pregnant, patient is pregnant, or patient has a pelvic infection.

Where does WRA perform general x-ray?
General x-rays are performed on a walk-in basis at our Sterling, Fairfax, Bethesda, Chevy Chase/Friendship Heights, and 2141 K Street, Washington, D.C. offices.

Where does WRA perform Contrast Studies (Fluoroscopy) and IVP?
Contrast Studies (Fluoroscopy) and IVPs are performed at our Sterling, Bethesda, and 2141 K Street, Washington, D.C. offices.