Currently, one of the most informative methods of instrumental diagnostics is computed tomography. According to pulmonologists, contrast-enhanced lung CT is the gold standard procedure. With its help, you can identify any pathological processes occurring in the lungs, even if they are at a very early stage of development. Thanks to this, the doctor can take timely action by prescribing the most effective treatment regimen for the patient.
Indications
Computed tomography of the lungs with contrast is a study that can be prescribed by the attending physician if a person who has contacted him has a number of alarming symptoms.
These include the following signs of lung damage:
- Hoarse voice for no apparent reason.
- Persistent non-productive cough. This also applies to smokers. Many of them claim that a dry cough is a side effect of addiction. However, most often it indicates the development of obstructive pulmonary disease caused by smoking.
- Painful sensations in the chest area, the intensity of which increases during inspiration.
- The presence of whistling sounds when breathing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Increase in body temperature to subfebrile values.
- Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- Increased degree of fatigue. Fatigue sets in during any activity very quickly.
- Hacking cough with expectoration streaked with blood or pus.
- Increase in the size of the lymph nodes located above the collarbones.
- Difficulty swallowing food.
- Exercise intolerance.
The presence of any of the above symptoms may indicate a serious lesion of the respiratory system. That is why doctors prescribe a CT scan of the lungs with contrast. The procedure allows you to quickly get the most complete information about the state of the patient's respiratory organs. This greatly increases the chances of a successful recovery.
What reveals
During a CT scan of the lungs with contrast, the following pathological conditions can be detected:
- Malignant neoplasms. During the study, the doctor evaluates the indicators of blastoma, andalso determines the prevalence of the disease. It is important to know that at an early stage of development, lung cancer does not have specific symptoms. In addition, they are rather weakly expressed. That is why it is so important to identify the disease in a timely manner. You can detect it using CT.
- Fibrous changes in the lungs. What it is? This is a specific organ lesion of unknown origin, manifested by severe shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, he althy tissue is replaced by scar tissue. It is important to know that fibrotic changes in the lungs are a condition that in a short time leads to respiratory failure and other dangerous complications. What is the reason for this? Normal lung tissue is elastic, it easily stretches and returns to its original volume, saturating the liquid connective tissue with oxygen. Areas of fibrosis do not have such elasticity. As a result, the volume of the lungs is significantly reduced. A natural consequence is the development of respiratory failure or other dangerous complications.
- Metastases. As practice shows, they are often detected in the lungs and bones. That is, the organ of the respiratory system in this case is a secondary affected area.
- Neoplasms of the mediastinum. It can be both various kinds of tumors and cysts.
- Syndrome of compaction of lung tissue. This is a symptom complex characteristic of a large number of pathologies. It is customary to talk about the syndrome of compaction of the lung tissue in the case when it thickens due to the formation of inflammatory exudate or cavities filled with liquid or thickcontent.
- Diseases of an interstitial nature.
- Specific inflammatory processes (tuberculosis, parasitic and fungal infections).
- Thromboembolism. This is a pathology that poses a danger to human life. It is accompanied by blockage of the pulmonary artery by blood clots. In severe cases, the lumen of the vessel is completely blocked.
- Any inflammatory changes.
- Losses of the lymphatic system in lymphoproliferative diseases.
- Presence of fluid in the pleural cavities (both free and encysted).
- Any change in the bronchi.
- The presence of calcifications. These are formations, the composition of which is represented by lime. As a rule, the formation of calcifications is a residual phenomenon after previously transferred inflammatory processes. But that doesn't mean it's not dangerous. The more calcifications in the lungs, the faster hypoxia occurs and the functioning of the respiratory system decreases.
- Various traumatic injuries of the chest.
- Tyroid neoplasms with retrosternal spread.
- Coronary artery calcification.
- Pathology of vessels passing through the chest.
CT scan of the lungs with contrast is a procedure during which dozens of diseases can be ruled out. This is what explains the popularity of the study. Doctors say that CT scans with contrast of the lungs show any, even the smallest changes in tissues.
Preparation
Computed tomography is a study that does not require prior performance of any specific actions. The only thing to do is to provide the attending physician with information regarding the presence or absence of pathologies of a chronic nature.
In addition, you need to know that CT with contrast is performed on an empty stomach. The last meal before the study should take place no later than 6 hours. If the procedure is scheduled for the morning, it is recommended to eat only easily digestible food the night before. At the same time, you can drink water, but in limited quantities.
How a CT scan of the lungs is done with contrast
The procedure is performed using a CT scanner. This is a device consisting of a gantry (a ring in which x-ray tubes are mounted). A computer is connected to it, which converts all received data into information convenient for human analysis.
The principle of operation of the tomograph is as follows: X-ray tubes make a revolution around the patient's body, emitting a certain radiation. The latter penetrates through tissues and is received by detectors located on the opposite side of the gantry. They, in turn, evaluate the angle at which the X-ray was sent, and its energy. Then all the received data is sent to the central processing unit of the CT scanner. It is there that they are converted into information understandable to the doctor. The image is displayed on the computer screen.
Research methodology:
- The patient enters the room where the tomograph is installed,takes off outerwear and shoes. In addition, it is necessary to remove all metal objects (watches, belts, jewelry, etc.) away. They can affect the operation of the tomograph and significantly distort the information received. At this time, the doctor explains how a CT scan of the lungs with contrast is performed, what a person should be prepared for.
- The patient puts his feet on the table. The doctor helps to take the correct position. He can lay his head to the gantry, on his stomach, back (in the vast majority of cases) or on his side. If necessary, the patient is fixed to the table with the help of special devices.
- The specialist starts the work of the tomograph and scans the body of the subject.
- The doctor injects a contrast agent intravenously into a patient. During this time, the subject may feel dizzy. This condition is the norm, it passes very quickly on its own.
- The specialist in a few minutes again scans the required area. This procedure may be repeated more than once. During its implementation, several times it is necessary to hold your breath for a short period. It is important to strictly follow all the doctor's instructions.
- Patient receives printed images, dresses and leaves. He can start his daily activities right away.
The process of scanning the human body takes only a few seconds. The duration of the procedure directly depends on how many times it is necessary to evaluate the indicators after the introduction of contrast.
What drugsused?
If it is necessary to evaluate the condition of the lungs, contrast is injected into a vein. In this case, both ionic and non-ionic substances, which contain iodine, can be used.
The first ones are used much less often, they are considered obsolete. This is due to the fact that they often lead to the development of side effects. In such preparations (a few years ago, Urographin was the most common), iodine is contained in ionic form, due to which it has a high toxicity rate. In modern means, it is in a bound form, due to which the introduction of contrast only in isolated cases leads to side effects. Examples of funds: "Omnipak", "Yopromid", "Ultravist", "Yodhexol".
First, a wide bore catheter is placed in the patient's vein. This need is due to the fact that when contrast is injected, the vessel experiences strong pressure. To prevent damage to its walls, it is necessary to reduce the load level. For this purpose, a catheter with a wide lumen is installed. Then this product is connected to an injector - a device that delivers a contrast agent into the vein at a certain rate. The latter directly depends on the state of the blood vessel. The speed can vary between 1-5ml/sec.
Side effects
As mentioned above, the use of modern drugs minimizes the risk of their development. According to statistics, side effects are detected only in 0.1% of patients and they are usually associated withindividual intolerance to a particular drug.
In rare cases, there is a headache and a rash on the skin. As a rule, these conditions go away on their own and are not a reason for an immediate visit to a doctor. However, with a pronounced deterioration in well-being, it is necessary to come to a medical facility as soon as possible.
Despite the fact that CT scan of the lungs with contrast is a safe procedure, it is impossible to undergo it only for the purpose of prevention (that is, in the absence of certain alarming symptoms). The expediency of prescribing computed tomography should only be assessed by the attending physician. Experts believe that conducting CT scans twice a year is completely safe for the human body.
Interpretation of results
At the final stage of the procedure, the diagnostician gives the patient several pictures. Each image shows tissue sections in a specific plane.
The CT scan of the lungs with contrast is interpreted by a radiologist. A patient who does not have a medical education will not be able to independently interpret the images. When evaluating the results, the radiologist pays attention to the density of the segments, the presence or absence of adhesions, granulomas, fibrosis and other conditions indicating the development of pathological processes.
Contraindications
Like any other study, contrast-enhanced lung CT has a number of limitations. But there are no absolute contraindications to this diagnostic method. Computercontrast-enhanced tomography is not usually done in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Individual intolerance to substances is extremely rare, but it is also a contraindication. In order to prevent a pronounced deterioration in well-being, it is necessary to inform the doctor in advance about the presence of certain he alth problems, especially about the tendency to develop allergic reactions.
Where to make, cost
You can take the study in commercial general medical institutions or centers specializing in CT and MRI. To make an appointment, just contact the clinic reception and decide on the time.
Price of lung CT directly depends on the region and the policy of the medical institution. For example, in the Far Eastern Federal District the cost of the procedure is 3000-4000 rubles, in the Southern Federal District - 5000-6000 rubles. In Moscow, a CT scan of the lungs will cost about 8,000 rubles. But even in the capital you can find small medical centers that provide services at a lower cost. However, the CT lung procedure in Moscow has the highest average price.
You can also pass the study in budgetary institutions. To do this, you must first issue a referral from the attending physician and find out in which polyclinics of the city the service is provided. The cost of CT scan of the lungs with contrast in public institutions is about 2 times lower.
In closing
Currently, computed tomography is one of the most informative research methods. In order to obtain the maximumcomplete information about the condition of the lungs is performed by CT scan with contrast - a drug whose active ingredient is iodine. The latter can have both ionic and non-ionic forms. The contrast agent is administered intravenously. Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor can assess the degree of functioning of the lungs. With the help of CT, it is possible to detect any pathological processes even at an early stage of their development. This allows you to start treatment in a timely manner and avoid the development of negative consequences.
