Abuse of the Fluoroscope

The fluoroscope is an indispensable piece of x-ray apparatus, and when used by a roentgenologist it renders valuable diagnostic information. However, it may be considered one of the most hazardous of all x-ray apparatus. When reports of x-ray burns were frequent, the fluoroscope accounted for a large portion of them. This was particularly true in the instances wherein the roentgenologists suffered burns. Thus it is well known to the radiological profession that the use of the fluoroscope is attended by a certain danger, even in the hands of experts, and has a distinct limitation to certain x-ray diagnoses. Our attention has been called to a monthly review, issued by the National Tuberculosis Association (May, 1931, 14, No.5), in which there appeared a lengthy presentation on the importance of the fluoroscopic examination in suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.1 In order to fortify their situation, and impress their readers with certain arguments in favor of the fluoroscopic examination, they present...