Comparison of fluoroscopic and radiographic imaging of long bones in healthy dogs

The purpose of this study was to describe observations based upon fluoroscopic examination of the long bones and to compare these results with the radiographic findings in healthy dogs. In general, the fluoroscopy employed significantly lesser kVp (kilo-voltage peak) settings and mA (milli-ampere) while still giving reasonably good images of all long bones having diagnostic importance. In the fluoroscopy, the kVp factors ranged from 45 to 55 with low mA values of 1.2 to 1.7. On the other hand, in radiography, the kVp values ranged from 55 to 65 at constant mAs (milli-ampere×seconds) of 10. Image magnification in fluoroscopy helped in close up-view but compromised bone size unlike the radiography. The contrast and details of the fluoroscopic images were not as good as the radiographic images, but most of the images were still sufficiently diagnostic. Furthermore, unlike fluoroscopy there was no limitation regarding the area of exposure during the radiographic examination of long bones of even large-sized dogs. In conclusion, although neither radiography nor fluoroscopy alone allowed a complete imaging of the long bones, the two techniques complemented one another well.