Low-intensity X-ray-imaging scope (Lixiscope). Its applications in sports medicine and orthopaedic surgery.

The low-intensity x-ray imaging scope (Lixiscope) is a hand-held, totally portable fluorescopic device utilizing a low-energy, low-intensity gamma source of 125I. The unit was developed at the Goddard Space Flight Center for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It has become apparent that there is increasing use of this tool, especially in sports medicine, to diagnose and treat injuries of the hand, foot, ankle, wrist and elbow at the time that they occur. The Lixiscope enables the orthopaedic surgeon to carry out the immediate screening at the scene of the injury with a hand-held x-ray unit. The unit gives a visible light output and the image can be recorded on instant processing film or used with other image-recording devices. The small size of the unit, combined with the minute radioactive source, provides a portability that we have not seen in the past. This will enable us to immediately differentiate between sprains and fractures right after the injury occurs. It is quite useful in finding metallic or other foreign bodies in the hand or foot, and is most useful in the operating or emergency room for this purpose. There are numerous applications for this unit in other fields of medicine and dentistry. It certainly should be considered an important development for immediate x-ray evaluation of the injured person.