GENERAL INFORMATION

UPPER GI SERIES

LOWER GI (BARIUM ENEMA) SERIES

VCUG (VOIDING CYSTOURETHROGRAM)

IVP (INTAVENOUS PYELOGRAM)

MYELOGRAM

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information on PET Imaging

The purpose of an x-ray is to:

• provide images of the inside of the body.
• provide valuable information in order to diagnose, monitor or assist in the treatment of disease and injury.

An x-ray is a relatively safe and painless procedure. A technologist will assist you throughout the x-ray procedure. You will be positioned depending on what part of the body is being x-rayed. An x-ray film will be placed lightly against the part of the body to be x-rayed, or may be inserted into the x-ray machine. After you are positioned and the film is in place, the technician will ask that you be very still. For some x-rays you may be asked to hold your breath for a couple of seconds. The technician will step behind a glass and take your x-ray.

After the exam, the radiologist will provide your physician with an interpretation of the results of your x-ray. Your physician will then be able to make a diagnosis and explain the findings to you.

Patient Preparation
There is no prep involved for a regular x-ray. Sometimes a liquid called contrast medium is necessary to highlight certain structures. This is given to you either in the form of a drink, through an IV, or by an enema. If contrast is needed for your exam, you will be asked to avoid certain foods and fluids.

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Q: What are Uterine Fibroids?
A: Fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids range in size and may be located in various parts of the uterus. Women with fibroids do not always have symptoms, but depending on their size and location, they can cause pain and heavy bleeding.

Q: Who is most likely to have Uterine Fibroids?
A: Uterine fibroids are very common though they don’t always cause problems. 20-40% of women over 35 will develop fibroids of a significant size and African-American women are at a higher risk than the rest of the population.

Q: How are Uterine Fibroids diagnosed?
A: Fibroids are usually diagnosed during a gynecologic internal examination. The presence of fibroids is most often confirmed by an abdominal ultrasound. Fibroids can also be confirmed using magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging techniques.

Q: How can Interventional Radiologists treat Uterine Fibroids?
A: Interventional Radiologists can perform two minimally invasive procedures to remove uterine fibroids. These procedures can often can replace the need for major surgeries such as hysterectomy. These are Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRGFU).

Q: What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
A: This approach to the treatment of fibroids blocks the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids causing them to shrink. It is a minimally-invasive procedure, which means it requires only a tiny nick in the skin, and is performed by an interventional radiologist while the patient is conscious but sedated — drowsy and feeling no pain. Advantages over surgery include no incision and a shorter recovery time.

Q: What is Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound?
A:Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRGFU) is a non-invasive outpatient, procedure that uses high intensity focused ultrasound waves to ablate (destroy) the fibroid tissue. An interventional radiologist uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see inside the body to deliver the treatment directly to the fibroid. This procedure, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2004, is a newer treatment option for women with fibroids.

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