Special Radiographic examination By Dr/ Dina Metwaly

General radiographic examinations General Radiography refers to procedures used to image chest, bones, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, etc.  The following exams fall under General Radiology procedures: Chest, spine, abdominal and extremity x-rays. Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD) GI Procedures (Barium swallow, Upper GI, Small Bowel Follow Through, and Barium Enema).

General radiography may be conventional or fluoroscopy General radiography may be conventional or fluoroscopy.  Examinations such as chest x-ray, spine x- ray or extremities are imaged electronically and viewed on a computer monitor.   Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging that shows a continuous x-ray image on a monitor, much like an x-ray movie.  It is used to diagnose or treat patients by displaying the movement of a body part or organ.  One example is a barium enema, which is used to view movement through the lower GI tract. Bone mineral denistometry scans (BMD) help identify patients with low, or potentially low, density of their bones.  Once identified, treatment can help prevent future bone fractures due to osteoporosis.

PATIENT PREPARATION FOR GENERAL X-RAY An x-ray requires no special physical preparation. The patient does not need to restrict food or fluids prior to the test . Always introduce yourself to the patient and state your profession. Explain the procedure and the patient’s role. The patient will be asked to remove jewelry or other metal objects and change into a medical gown,This is not necessary for x-ray of hands, wrists, feet or ankles.

ask if the patient is pregnant as x-rays are harmful to a fetus. Female patients should remove their bra prior to an abdomen, chest or spine x-ray Female patients must adhere to the 10-day rule (The 10-day rule states that female patients of childbearing age can only be x-rayed during the first 10 days of the patient’s menstrual cycle. If the patients menstrual cycle is outside of these dates and the x-ray required is urgent then a pregnancy test should be ordered on the ward and a hard copy of the results given to the radiographer.

FLUOROSCOPIC PROCEDURES AND PATIENT PREPARATION Barium Swallow, barium meal & barium followthrough : This is a fluoroscopic examination to visualize the G.I.T patient will be asked to take barium sulphate, which is a radio-opaque contrast agent. Using the fluoroscopy machine, the radiologist will study the transit of the barium through the G.I. tract . Preparation: The patient is required to be fasting for 8 hours prior to their exam. Female patients must adhere to the 10-day rule

.1. preparation 2. examination 3. aftercare Preparation: The following checklist summarizes the radiographer’s role and the various stages that are followed during an imaging procedure. .1. preparation 2. examination 3. aftercare Preparation: a(Procedure B)patient C) x-ray room procedure Review imaging request form Justification of the examination Check previous studies Review relevant departmental protocols Infection control considerations Consider specific radiation protection requirements

X-ray Room Room safe and tidy Optimization of exposure. X-ray generator set for correct procedure Tube positioned for procedure Prepare image receptors/cassettes Accessory equipment available

Patient Communicate effectively Introduce yourself and state your profession Correctly identify patient Check pregnancy status Explain procedure and gain consent Prepare patient if necessary, e.g. request they change into a gown

.2Examination Patient Care Wash/clean your hands in sight of the patient Communicate effectively Be friendly and sympathetic Give clear instructions Explain what you are doing Explain why you are doing it Invite and answer any questions

Radiographic Procedure X-ray correct patient Follow department protocols Use a precise technique Be quick, safe and efficient Get it right first time Wash/clean hands following the procedure

Radiation Protection Correct protocol Only essential people in the room Use optimal exposure Collimate to area of interest Apply lead protection if appropriate

.3Aftercare: Assessment of Image Quality Patient Communicate effectively Explain what they need to do next Invite and answer any questions Arrange transport if necessary

Special radiographic examinations Angiography: -cerebral, abdominal peripheral-arteriography and venography; lymphography, myelography, dental radiography, macroradiography, cardiac catheterization interventional radiography.

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