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Imaging · London

Private fluoroscopy in London, performed by a consultant radiologist.

Real-time X-ray imaging that shows moving structures - used for swallowing studies, contrast investigations, tubal patency and image-guided injections.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What private fluoroscopy costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£350–£650, reported within 24–72 hours.

Study type Indicative range
Standard fluoroscopy study £350–£650
Fluoroscopic contrast study £550–£950
Guided injection (fluoro) £450–£850
Hysterosalpingography (HSG) £700–£1,300
Videofluoroscopy (swallowing study) £450–£850
Interventional fluoroscopy Quoted case by case

Prices vary by clinic, complexity of the study, contrast used, and whether an interventional procedure is performed.

The problem

Fluoroscopy is specialist work - the operator matters.

Because fluoroscopy is live and interpretive, the consultant behind the screen matters as much as the equipment. Look for CQC-registered clinics where a consultant radiologist performs and interprets the study.

  • Difficulty swallowing?

    Videofluoroscopy captures the mechanics in real time so a consultant can see exactly where the problem is.

  • Needing a guided injection?

    Live imaging places the needle precisely - critical for spinal facet joints and deep joints like the hip.

  • Not sure fluoroscopy is the answer?

    Sometimes MRI, CT or ultrasound is the better first test. A good clinician will say so upfront.

What it shows

Find the reason that matches your symptom.

Fluoroscopy earns its place when a still image is not enough - motion, flow, and guided intervention.

  • Swallowing dysfunction

    Videofluoroscopy to assess the mechanics of swallowing in real time.

  • Guided joint injections

    Precise needle placement for shoulders, hips and other joints under live imaging.

  • Tubal patency (HSG)

    Hysterosalpingography to check the fallopian tubes and uterine cavity.

  • GI transit studies

    Contrast studies of the oesophagus, stomach or bowel to assess motility and anatomy.

  • Urological studies

    Retrograde urethrogram, cystogram and other urological contrast studies.

  • Spinal procedures

    Fluoro-guided facet joint injections and epidurals for spinal pain.

  • Post-op hardware assessment

    Dynamic assessment of orthopaedic hardware in real time.

Fluoroscopy types

Not all fluoroscopy studies are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Diagnostic fluoroscopy

    Real-time X-ray imaging to assess dynamic structures and motion.

  • Barium swallow (see barium page)

    Contrast study of the oesophagus - see the dedicated barium studies page.

  • Videofluoroscopy for swallowing

    Video-recorded assessment of the mechanics of swallowing.

  • Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

    Contrast study to assess uterine cavity and fallopian tube patency.

  • Fluoro-guided spinal injections

    Facet joint, nerve root and epidural injections under live imaging.

  • Fluoro-guided joint injections

    Precise steroid or diagnostic injections into hips, shoulders and other joints.

  • Retrograde urethrogram/cystogram

    Contrast studies of the urethra and bladder.

  • Line insertion (PICC, port)

    Image-guided insertion of central venous lines and ports.

Safety and eligibility

Low-dose, well-tolerated - when it is the right test.

Fluoroscopy uses ionising radiation, so the study should be justified, performed on modern low-dose equipment and follow the ALARA principle. Contrast, fasting and preparation are all handled in advance.

  • Ionising radiation

    Fluoroscopy uses variable dose depending on the study. The ALARA principle keeps exposure as low as reasonably achievable.

  • Pregnancy

    Fluoroscopy is avoided in pregnancy unless essential.

  • Iodinated contrast

    Many studies use iodinated contrast - kidney function is checked in advance where relevant.

  • Claustrophobia

    The open C-arm setup means claustrophobia is not usually a problem.

  • Fasting rules for GI studies

    GI transit and contrast studies require fasting - exact instructions are normally sent in advance.

  • Antibiotics

    Some procedures (e.g. HSG) may need prophylactic antibiotics - arranged in advance.

  • Discomfort during the study

    Varies by procedure - most are well tolerated, and local anaesthetic is used for injections.

Reading your report

A fluoroscopy report is short. And structured.

Every fluoroscopy report follows the same four parts.

A consultant radiologist reviewing fluoroscopy images on a clinical workstation in Central London

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your doctor, not for you - and that is normal.

Ask your clinician to talk you through it before your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and indication

    Your details, the study performed, and the clinical question or indication behind the referral.

  2. 02 Technique

    What was imaged, contrast used

    Which structures were imaged, what contrast was used, and the dose delivered.

  3. 03 Findings

    Structure-by-structure description

    A structured description of each anatomical area imaged, including any incidental findings.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    The conclusion in brief - read this first. Your specialist discusses it in context.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Frequently asked

Common questions about fluoroscopy.

Quick answers on what fluoroscopy is, cost, referrals, radiation dose, safety and results.

  • What is fluoroscopy?

    Fluoroscopy is a form of real-time X-ray imaging that shows moving structures inside the body. Instead of a single still image, it produces a continuous live view - used for swallowing studies, contrast investigations, tubal patency and image-guided injections.

  • How is fluoroscopy different from a standard X-ray?

    A standard X-ray captures a single still image. Fluoroscopy captures a continuous stream of X-ray images, so a consultant radiologist can watch structures move - helpful for swallowing, gut motility, joint injections and contrast studies.

  • How much does private fluoroscopy cost in London?

    Contrast studies, HSG and guided injections cost more.

  • Do I need a referral for private fluoroscopy?

    Yes - private clinics require a brief referral for fluoroscopy given the use of ionising radiation and, often, contrast.

  • How much radiation is involved?

    Dose varies significantly by study - a short guided injection uses very little, while a longer contrast study uses more. Every study follows the ALARA principle: as low as reasonably achievable.

  • What are the common interventional uses of fluoroscopy?

    Fluoro-guided joint and spinal injections, HSG for tubal patency, PICC and port line insertion, and a range of urological and orthopaedic procedures where live imaging guides the needle or catheter.

  • How quickly will I get the results?

    A consultant radiologist report is usually ready within 24–72 hours. HSG reports may take 3–5 days. With your consent, the report and images can be sent to your GP or specialist.

  • Is fluoroscopy safe in pregnancy?

    Fluoroscopy is avoided in pregnancy unless essential. If it is essential, shielding is used and the dose is kept minimal.

  • Will my insurance cover fluoroscopy?

    Most policies cover fluoroscopy when clinically indicated and pre-authorised.

  • When should I see a GP first?

    If you have a new symptom without a clear cause, see a GP first - they can assess whether fluoroscopy is the right test, or whether another imaging modality would answer the question better.

Related content

Looking for a different test?

In practice, in London

Getting fluoroscopy sorted in London, without the guesswork

With fluoroscopy, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. Public provision for fluoroscopy is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.

Once you’re in the private system for fluoroscopy, the pace picks up noticeably. Consultant slots run to time, imaging is usually available in the same building or a short walk away, and the report comes back typed and detailed. It’s the coordination that tends to feel different. For fluoroscopy specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

Honesty about expectations is part of the job. A private fluoroscopy appointment in London won’t change the underlying medicine - the guidelines, the consultants, and the equipment are largely the same as on the NHS. What it changes is speed, continuity, and the amount of time you get to actually talk through the findings. Consultants working in the UK are GMC-registered, and private facilities in England are regulated by the CQC.