One of the key conditions for the effective treatment of various diseases is accurate diagnosis. X-ray studies can be safely described as one of the most common and reliable methods for determining a specific problem in the body.
What are x-rays
The basis of this type of research is the ability of X-rays to penetrate body tissues. Depending on the density, thickness and physical and chemical composition of human tissues and organs, the degree of absorption of X-rays may vary.
For this reason, organs and tissues that are denser (bones, large vessels, liver, heart) are displayed as shadows on the screen, and, for example, lung tissue, due to the presence of a large volume of air, looks like an area bright glow.
Preparing for the research process
X-ray examinations are carried out in order to accurately diagnose the patient's condition. And although, at first glance, there is nothing complicated in this process, some patients need to be prepared for it asphysically as well as psychologically. Nurses, in turn, must master the technology of preparing patients for instrumental examination. Therefore, it is important for patients themselves to pay attention to the fact that the appropriate actions are carried out by medical personnel.
Preparing for an X-ray examination of a survey type involves the elimination and prevention of any processes in a particular organ that may interfere with obtaining accurate results. For example, when diagnosing the kidneys, the purpose of the preparation will be to clean the intestines and prevent gas formation in it. To do this, in the evening before the day of the study and in the morning the next day, the patient is given a cleansing enema and limit fluid intake. Also, the patient is forbidden to eat and drink immediately before the radiography procedure.
The patient is brought to the X-ray room one hour after the bowel has been emptied.
Intravenous urography - preparation
When preparing a patient for X-ray examinations, which involve intravenous urography, the goal is also to prevent gas formation and bowel cleansing. As indications, diseases of the urinary system are determined. Contraindications include the setting of a cleansing enema and hypersensitivity to radiopaque substances that contain iodine.
In this case, substances such as urotrast and verografin are used. A few days beforeradiography, the following foods that have a gas-forming effect are excluded from the diet: apples, brown bread, legumes, milk, etc. In case of flatulence, the doctor usually prescribes carbolen. Take this drug 4 times a day, 2-3 tablets.
In the evening and in the morning, the patient is given a cleansing enema, from the evening before the study, fluid intake is limited. When the patient is brought to the examination room with a medical history at the appointed time, the nurse injects him with a radiopaque substance intravenously.
When all the above stages of preparation are completed, X-ray examinations are carried out. Other preparatory measures have a similar algorithm of action, the purpose of which is to empty the stomach and prevent gas formation (cholecystography, gastrointestinal studies, etc.).
Stomach examinations
Since a large part of the common diseases are related to the digestive system, x-ray examination of the stomach is more than relevant. This type of diagnosis can be defined as auxiliary, since it is used mainly for suspected gastritis. Translucence of the stomach makes it possible to accurately identify the presence of various anatomical pathologies and assess the relief of the epithelium for the presence of tumors, hernias, ulcers and polyps in it.
As a rule, X-rays are prescribed in case of symptoms such as stool disorders, mild stomach pains and nausea that bothers you on an ongoing basis. Preparation for an X-ray examination of the stomach is as follows: a 12-hour fast is carried out with a complete rejection of chewing gum and smoking, while the patient drinks a barium solution, sometimes a solution with iodine, with which you can get a contrast image of the walls of the stomach in the pictures.
If we are talking about a patient who is suspected of having an ulcer, then in this case the determining factor is the so-called niche. This is nothing more than filling a defect caused by an ulcer with a contrast agent. X-ray examination of the stomach more accurately reveals an ulcer when it is located on the lesser curvature. But pyloric and prepyloric ulcers are much more difficult to identify. But the largest percentage of errors in the diagnostic process occurs when ulcers of the subcardiac stomach are detected. It should be noted that when determining the evacuation capacity of the stomach, fluoroscopic examination is superior in accuracy to endoscopic indications.
Research of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)
In this case, the x-ray is used to assess the condition of the entire digestive system. X-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract is used to perform the following tasks:
- visualization of small morphological details (including gastric fields);
- study of the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract;
- documenting the information received regarding the detected changes, including the areas of wall rigidity.
At the same time, the correct choice of the degree of compression, motor skills, optimal projection anddegrees of filling for sighting shots. The tasks described above are possible with the additional use of serial percutaneous radiography after transmission, which has a high spatial resolution.
X-ray of lungs
The essence of this type of X-ray examination is to obtain an image of the chest organs. Due to the uneven density of the beam passing through them, it is possible to form a summary picture of the state of the organs.
X-ray examination of the lungs has the following indications for carrying out: various diseases of the bronchi, lungs and trachea. It can be tumors, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia and various occupational diseases. With this type of study, the doctor can also obtain information about organs such as the heart, diaphragm, as well as the thoracic spine and ribs.
Chest x-ray, one of the most popular, focuses on panoramic images taken in two projections (frontal and lateral) in the standing position.
If necessary, lung tomography can be performed, which allows you to get several pictures that are taken at different depths of the lung tissue. With the help of such images, the doctor will be able to study the pathological focus in more detail.
Unlike the situation with the stomach, X-ray studies are a key method for qualitative diagnosis of the condition of the lungs, and in completely different areas of medicine (therapy,thoracic surgery, pulmonology and phthisiology).
Renal research
The purpose of an x-ray in the case of the kidneys is to effectively assess their morphological and functional features, as well as the urinary tract. Such data make it possible to determine the size, position and shape of the organ, the localization and presence of stones, as well as the state of the pelvicalyceal system.
X-ray examination of the kidneys (subject to the use of contrast agents) is undesirable for patients who have a significant decrease in the function of this organ. To avoid any allergic reactions, it is necessary to find out whether such patients have previously undergone similar studies and whether there were any side effects after the administration of the drugs.
If negative manifestations were not observed, then the preparation of the patient for X-ray studies should include remedication with the use of steroid hormones and antihistamines. It is also necessary to test the sensitivity of the patient to various iodine-containing drugs.
Contrast radiography
Studying various methods of X-ray examination, this type of diagnosis, which is also called angiocardiography, also needs to be given attention. Its purpose is to accurately determine the state of the chambers of the heart and its large vessels through special probes. This type of diagnosis, in principle, can be defined as a surgical intervention. This process takes place in the operating room.having special equipment and located on the territory of cardiac surgery (due to the nature of the procedure).
To conduct x-ray studies of this type, it is necessary to take samples for the tolerance of antiseptics and iodine-containing drugs. The study itself must be carried out on an empty stomach. Moreover, constant attention to the patient by nurses is necessary, since a radiopaque substance introduced into the cavity of the heart can lead not only to early, but also to late complications.
It is important to know that contrast x-rays can cause symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure, pain in the heart area, weakness and general deterioration. In this case, you should immediately contact the nurse, who, in turn, is obliged to inform the doctor about such changes in the patient's condition.
Intestinal diagnostics
This part of the body, like others, also needs to accurately determine the negative changes in case of suspicion of the development of any diseases. X-ray examination of the intestine is focused on determining the functional features and structure of both the large and small intestines. During the study, the patient takes a contrast suspension (100 g of water and 100 g of barium sulfate). After 2.5 hours, the suspension enters the caecum. It is by the rate of transition of the suspension into this intestine (later or earlier than the specified period) that it is possible to determine the presence of any violationsmotor function.
In the case of the colon, x-rays are taken after the slurry has filled the ascending colon and the transverse colon. Such transillumination is able to reveal the state of the relief, adhesive processes and narrowing in the diagnosed area.
Contrast radiography of bronchial tubes
The purpose of this study is to identify tumors in the bronchi, a cavity in the lung tissue and the expansion of this organ. The diagnostic process is carried out using a contrast agent, which is injected into the bronchial cavity.
Preparation for bronchography includes sedation, testing for tolerance to drugs containing iodine, cleansing the bronchial tree (if purulent sputum was detected), explaining to the patient the relevance and purpose of the upcoming study, necessary changes in the diet on the eve of radiography.
Because certain complications may occur after the diagnostic procedure, special attention is paid to the patient when the transillumination is completed.
Gallbladder examination
The purpose of this x-ray examination is to determine the shape of the gallbladder itself, its deformation, position, degree of emptying and the presence of stones in it. With such a diagnosis, an X-ray substance is also used, the concentration of which reaches a maximum after 10-15 hours from the moment of admission.
In the case of intravenous administration of a contrast agent, the study should be called intravenous cholegraphy. This method is used when it is necessary to contrastintrahepatic bile descents.
X-ray examinations of children
Initially, it is worth noting that several diagnostic procedures using X-rays are not dangerous for children.
X-ray examination in childhood is performed in order to determine all vital indications. It is worth noting the fact that the potential risk of exposure to X-rays is much lower than the possible threat that will go unnoticed in the absence of high-quality diagnostics.
The X-ray examination system is applicable for diagnosing the condition of pregnant women and breastfeeding women. As far as possible harm is concerned, breastfeeding mothers have nothing to worry about. In the case of women who are pregnant, it is worth noting that the level of risk of X-ray examination depends largely on the type of procedure and the gestational age.
Conclusions
Based on the above information, it is easy to conclude that X-ray studies can help identify diseases that affect various organs and systems of the human body. For this reason, they can be considered one of the effective methods of modern diagnostics.
