Fluoroscopy of the diaphragm

  • Patient preparation: none
  • Contrast used: none
  • Technique: set video to high frame-rate mode, patient should be breathing on their own off of ventilator, also have the patient perform a sniff test with the patient taking a few quick short breaths in with a closed mouth
  • Images to obtain: obtain AP video of the patient during normal breathing through inspiration and expiration and while sniffing, lateral images may also be helpful
  • Looking for: paradoxical diaphragm motion with heart rocking back and forth and diaphragm going up during inspiration and down during expiration
  • Post procedure tasks: none