by Dr. Gary Farr on 22 April 2002
What is Videofluoroscopy?
Video Fluoroscopy is a motion x-ray study of the bones and joints combining traditional fluoroscopy with the use of video technology to capture views of the neck (cervical spine) in motion. The "motion pictures" of the spine are superior to, and more revealing than standard, motionless radiological images. This procedure is used to accurately diagnose joint dysfunction ("difficult function") and related soft tissue damage. The entire dynamic study of all movement is permanently recorded which is immediately available for the physician and patient.
A typical video fluoroscopy evaluation consists of an x-ray of the spine "in motion" which is recorded on 1/2" videotape. A detailed written evaluation is also made to outline the findings of the motion study.
To properly diagnose and treat the range of motion of the following:
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Supportive soft tissue lesions
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Ligamentous instability
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Restrictive range of motion
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Abnormalities of either excessive or decreased mobility
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Quality of spinal fusion
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Subjective complaints including headaches, arm pain, blurred vision, neck pain, dizziness, shoulder pain or numbness or tingling in the extremities
The x-rays shown to the left show the neck after a typical whiplash type accident. The far left x-ray shows the normal curve in the neck. The x-ray on the right demonstrates the loss of this normal curve following a whiplash accident.
This is commonly know as a "military neck" (loss of the forward curvature) and can pose problems to the persons ability to function normally. This condition requires chiropractic examination and when necessary chiropractic adjustments to the affected area.
No, the process of fluoroscopy has been around since the early 1900's when it was used to examine bones and soft tissue and to some degree motion. Some years ago a shoe manufacturer used fluoroscopy to show people how their feet were fitting in their shoes. Utilization by the medical profession was intensified when it was discovered that fluids flowing through organs with special dyes could be monitored with fluoroscopy. This technique has been improved with the invention of equipment that is more efficient than those early days when it was more of a fad.
Now fluoroscopy is an accepted procedure for Chiropractic as well as the Medical profession. The most distinct difference is that Chiropractors use the procedure to study the movement of joints in the body. The most prominent structures studied are in the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as joints of the extremities.
One of the most dramatic improvements in recent years has been the image intensifier tubes that convert the beam of energy into the video image that is sent to the video recorder. These recorded images then make it possible for the doctor to play the motion over and over and determine where the spinal segments are not moving properly.
Video fluoroscopy is a valuable tool as it provides a means as an objective record on video of biomechanical movement before, during and after treatment. Video fluoroscopy enables a medical professional to actually see joint movement and to examine soft tissue damage not detected on static x-rays, MRI, CT or physical examination objectively. With video fuoroscopy the radiation exposure is less, the video may be stopped at any point to give a static picture of a particular point in motion. CTs and MRIs are more expensive and miss soft tissue trauma such as whiplash.
| What are the preparations for video fluroscopy? |
There are no preparations required for video fluoroscopy.
Video Fluoroscopy is painless and safe. It is not known to have any complications. Radiation is reduced to the point where a 20 second exposure is less than one side view of the neck. A cervical motion study takes only about 15 to 20 seconds, therefore the exposure is actually less than a lateral cervical x-ray. (Based on a study by Peterson and Associates of Chicago, Illinois who are in the business of certifying radiological equipment for the health industry.)
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