X-ray of the skull is one of the available and informative diagnostic methods. It can be used to check the condition of internal structures and bone elements. The value of the study is the ability to diagnose the patient's condition after a head injury, to detect the tumor process, the presence of pathological fluids.
X-ray head what shows?
Craniography allows the doctor to detect the following points:
- presence of skull fractures, their nature, development of complications;
- congenital pathologies and birth injuries;
- primary tumor and presence of metastases;
- inflammatory processes of the paranasal sinuses;
- presence of cystic formations;
- deviated septum;
- secondary changes in the bones of the skull;
- presence of abnormal fluid in certain areas.
X-ray of the head allows you to get diagnostic field data on a film, monitor screen. If necessary, they are stored in the memory of the X-ray machine.
Overview andtargeted scan
During the survey X-ray, the condition of the brain as a whole is assessed. Target craniography allows you to verify the condition of a certain part of the head, clarify its functionality in dynamics through several shots taken in a row.
A targeted X-ray of the head is performed to detect fractures in such bone elements:
- zygomatic bones;
- lower jaw;
- bone pyramid of the nose;
- sphenoid bone;
- eye sockets;
- temporomandibular joints;
- Mastoid processes of the temporal bones.
Spot shots let you see:
- presence of calcifications that caused the development of pathology of cranial bones;
- presence of calcification of parts of the tumor;
- hemorrhages and hematomas;
- consequences of increased intracranial pressure;
- pathological fluid in the paranasal sinuses;
- consequences of acromegaly (increase or expansion of bone elements);
- osteodystrophy with deformity;
- presence of foreign bodies and inflammatory processes.
When appointed
X-ray of the skull is done on the basis of the patient's complaints or those changes in the patient's condition that were noticed by the doctor himself during the examination. You need to be prepared if a specialist sends you for craniography in case of complaints of trembling in the limbs, cephalalgia, darkness or veil before the eyes, nosebleeds, pain during chewing,decreased vision or hearing.
Indications can also be mechanical damage to the head, asymmetry of the bones of the face, fainting, suspicion of malignant tumors, pathologies of the endocrine apparatus and anomalies of a congenital nature.
Pregnant women and women during lactation do not have x-rays of the bones of the skull. The following specialists can send for the procedure:
- traumatologist;
- neurologist;
- oculist;
- surgeon;
- endocrinologist;
- oncologist.
Technique
This examination method does not require special preparation. There are no restrictions (in drinking, food, medicines) before the procedure. Before the subject takes a place in the installation for x-ray diagnostics, he needs to remove metal things, dentures (if possible), glasses. Further, depending on the area under study, the patient lies down on the couch, sits down or stands.
The subject is put on a lead apron so that the body below the head does not receive excess radiation. The head is fixed with the help of special clamps so that the examination area remains immobile for the entire period of diagnosis. Sometimes they use fasteners or bandages, sometimes ordinary sandbags.
If necessary, the radiologist can take not one, but several pictures. In addition, the position of the body can be changed in order to perform an x-ray of the skull in several projections.
Transcript of results
Speed of results and claritythe image on them depends on the modernity of the X-ray apparatus used. In exceptional cases, the answer can be given to the subject immediately after the procedure, but in most cases it is required to wait up to half an hour. In public he alth facilities, deciphering the results can take up to several days.
The transcript of the image contains data on the shape of the cranial bones, their condition, size, correctness of the anatomy, the contents of the paranasal sinuses, the state of the cranial sutures, the bones of the nasal pyramid.
X-ray of the skull in 2 projections what does it show? For more informative results, the radiologist conducts a study in several projections (usually in the anterior and lateral). This allows you to more accurately determine the size of pathological formations, their localization, the condition of the bones, the presence of displacement.
How dangerous is the study?
X-ray of the skull is accompanied by a low exposure of the patient's body (approximately 0.12 mSv). This figure is less than 5% of the dose that is allowed for a person to receive per year. For comparison, we can say that a person receives the same amount of radiation while relaxing under the sun on the beach in one hour.
However, x-raying the head (which this method shows, described above) is not recommended more than 7 times a year.
X-ray diagnostics is carried out exclusively according to indications and its purpose is to determine the presence of a deadly disease. That is why there are cases of morepatient radiation than indicated in the medical literature. For example, a skull fracture is considered an emergency. If it is suspected, diagnostics are carried out even during pregnancy. Women carefully cover their chest and stomach with a lead apron.
Features of pediatric craniography
X-ray of a child's skull is a procedure that requires a more thorough approach. In most cases, the specialist prefers ultrasound. X-ray diagnostics is used as a last resort, since the bone elements of the brain are still in the stage of their growth and formation, and excessive radiation can lead to negative consequences.
Frequent indications are head trauma, including birth trauma, and skull fracture. The procedure is similar to the examination of adults. The only problem is the need to be in the same position during manipulation, which is very difficult for children. Parents may be present or sedatives or sleeping pills may be required prior to diagnosis.
Head injury
One of the indications for craniography. Injuries can be scalped, torn, cut, chopped, blunt in nature, depending on the way they occur. The main reasons are:
- accidents, catastrophes, domestic damage;
- fall;
- use of physical violence.
If only soft tissues are damaged, this condition is called a head contusion. In case of violation of the functionality of internal structures, we speak of a craniocerebralinjury.
The victim feels pain at the site of injury and there are no other manifestations - this condition does not require the help of doctors. Cold is applied to the injury site. If there is bleeding, nausea and vomiting, neck pain, dizziness, hospitalization and specialist help are needed.
Emergency condition requiring urgent assistance and calling a medical team to the site of injury may be accompanied by the following manifestations:
- blood or clear fluid coming from the nose or ears;
- hyperthermia;
- convulsive seizures;
- impaired consciousness;
- impossibility of fixing the gaze on a certain subject;
- lack of ability to move independently;
- speech disorder;
- deformation of the pupils, the difference in their diameter;
- loss of consciousness;
- feeling short of breath.
Help and treatment
Knowing what to do in case of a head injury can save the life of not only someone from strangers, but also close relatives. First of all, it is necessary to ensure that the victim is calm until the ambulance arrives. The person should be laid on a bed with the head end slightly raised, if possible in a dark room. Someone must be nearby.
If vomiting is present, do not allow the patient to stand up, but turn his head to the side and substitute a container for vomit. In case of convulsive attacks, a person is turned on his side with his whole body, thrusta hard, but not metallic, object between the teeth to prevent the tongue from sinking in.
A bandage should be applied to the wound, press down with a hand if there is bleeding. If a fracture is suspected, pressure on the skull is not necessary. In parallel, you need to monitor the presence of pulse and breathing. If there are no signs of life, start CPR.
No medicines, even painkillers, should be given to the victim before the ambulance arrives, as this can hide the true picture of the condition. It is necessary to clarify the state of a person’s memory by asking him a few questions about his name, relatives, and the place where he is at the moment. Apply cold to the bruise.
Even with a good knowledge of first aid, you need to be calm and reasonable in order to leave panic aside and soberly assess the situation. And the best option, if possible, is to prevent injury than to restore the victim's he alth later.
