What is a fluoroscope?

Fluoroscopes are X-ray machines that provide a live feed of X-ray images on a monitor. This provides the ability to see movement of the body, instruments, or X-ray dye in detail, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Barium X-rays and enemas, catheter insertion and manipulation, placement of devices such as splints within the body, angiograms, and orthopedic surgery are some of the many examinations and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of patients that make use of fluoroscopy, the use of fluoroscopes, according to the FDA. Though there are risks in using radiation, such as radiation burns, the probability of a patient encountering these are statistically small.