A Week in Fluoroscopy

This is the equipment used in my placement hospital, the Siemens Artis Zee

Stardate: 91823.58

It's that time again: placement! And for week one, I was placed in Screening (AKA Fluoroscopy); I was supposed to be in A&E, but it was changed at the last minute. If you didn't already know what fluoroscopy is, it's basically an imaging technique that uses real-time moving images of the internal structures.

The equipment I got the chance to learn to use properly was the Siemens Artis Zee Multi-Purpose, and it's controls, although they look confusing, take very little time to get used to. It's used in various types of fluoroscopic procedures:

• Root nerve blocks - an injection that is given close to a nerve as it leaves the spine; usually for sciatica pain.
• Facet joint injections - an injection of local anaesthetic or steroid which can anaesthetise the facet joint to block pain. Facet joints are small joints between each segment of the spine.
• Barium enema - an x-ray examination of the large intestine to help diagnose any existing problems affecting that area. The colon is filled with a contrast material containing barium, which is done by pouring the contrast into the rectum.
• Barium swallow - an x-ray examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the oesophagus, and sometimes the stomach. The patient is asked to drink a suspension of barium sulphate, and the x-ray images are taken during the swallow. This procedure is done in various positions: AP, oblique and lateral, for a 3D assessment.
• Myelogram - an x-ray examination that uses an injected contrast material to view the fluid-filled space (subarachnoid space) between the spinal vertebrae. 

I witnessed these examinations, and there are more that are carried out on the department. I certainly got used to wearing lead rubber aprons, and quickly learnt to check the apron first, as instead of picking up the lighter 0.25mm apron, I picked up a heavy 0.35mm apron, which made me feel faint after a while! I also started using the thyroid shield, just to be on the safe side.

Despite what everyone first believes about barium enemas, you barely see (or smell) anything, and nearly all fluoroscopic procedures are painless for the patient (the barium mixture patients have to swallow has a pretty nasty after-taste, mind). 

Overall, it was nice to see what the department does, and what this technique involves. It certainly lets you know if you want to go into that sort of speciality, and it does actually seem quite interesting. You certainly see a good variety of patients, too. It's made me start seriously looking into what I want to do post-graduation (still definitely Forensic Radiography) as there are so many options with Radiography!

Until next time guys! Next week I'm in Clinical Skills, so we'll see how that goes.

LLAP!

References

1. Siemens Artis Zee Multi-Purpose, n.d. photograph, viewed 22 March 2014 <http://usa.healthcare.siemens.com/siemens_hwem-hwem_ssxa_websites-context-root/wcm/idc/groups/public/@global/@imaging/@angio/documents/image/mdaw/mtc0/~edisp/artis_zee_multi_purpose-00068177/~renditions/artis_zee_multi_purpose-00068177~10.jpg>.

Mayhem in March

When people ask you about mock exams; applies to both preparation and execution!

Stardate: 91796.42

As you may have noticed, it's been quite a while since I last posted (and it has been ages, because I was on placement last time!) This is generally down to mock exams having been placed over the last two weeks. We had our exams in Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Medical Imaging Science, and Diagnostic Imaging Technique. 

I would like to say I was happy with my results, and I will, but I'm a picky human being with a funny little brain, and I know I definitely could have done better. So I'm happy, but not satisfied with them (to be fair, I haven't had one set of results back yet). I was surprised when I concluded that I found the physics exam the least terrifying!

They weren't so terrible in retrospect, but the only thing to remember about radiography exams is: write as much as you can that's relevant to the question! I lost marks for assuming I didn't need to write something down. If you've learnt it, write it down and talk about it! Also another handy tip is to definitely keep on top of your revision. It soon builds up if you don't!

Anyway, since I've managed to free myself from revision, as a 'reward', I've been reading some radiography journals to pass some time (when I'm not watching Star Trek, or Doctor Who). Two articles caught my eye in last month's (Feb 2014) issue of the journal Radiography. These were very different in content, but interesting reads.

The first was about using cross-sectional imaging in virtual post-mortem examinations. This appealed to me, generally because it's to do with Forensic Radiography, which is the field in which I want to continue my studies. The second was about professionals' experiences of imaging in the radiography process. I may have mentioned it before, but if you haven't already, signing up to the SoR is very beneficial for (prospective) radiography students, as you can access journals and articles, and loads of information which can give a nice scope of the field.

Soon you'll be hearing more from me again, as I'm back on placement next week! I'll be in A&E for one week, clinical skills for two, and a screening room for another. So there'll be plenty to get on with, and hopefully I'll have interesting things to feed back!

LLAP and reverse the polarity of the neutron flow!

References

1. Matt Smith Filming His Final Scene, n.d. photograph, viewed 11 March 2014 <http://static.fjcdn.com/comments/Matt+Smith+after+filming+his+final+scene.+Leaving+the+TARDIS...for+_76a0889eed211250bf3e27e7c154b0c1.jpg>.