What technique is used to achieve a lower dose in fluoroscopy?

Pulsed fluoroscopy is the technique used to achieve a lower dose in fluoroscopy. This method involves emitting radiation in short bursts or pulses, rather than delivering a continuous stream of radiation. By reducing the amount of time that radiation is emitted and allowing for periods of inactivity, the overall exposure to the patient and medical staff is decreased while still providing adequate imaging for diagnostic purposes.

In comparison, continuous fluoroscopy maintains a constant flow of radiation, which increases the dose received during the procedure. High-dose fluoroscopy is specifically designed to enhance the quality of images but can lead to significantly higher radiation exposure. Digital fluoroscopy, while it offers advantages in image processing and storage, does not inherently reduce radiation exposure unless paired with techniques such as pulsed operation.

Therefore, pulsed fluoroscopy effectively balances image quality with patient safety by minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure through its intermittent radiation delivery mechanism.