Modern diagnostics makes it possible to detect various diseases at early stages. At the same time, the techniques have become less traumatic for the patient. The occurrence of complications in this case is minimal. At the same time, the result of the examination is the most informative. One such method is brain imaging. The features of this type of diagnostics will be discussed further.
General Description
MRI and tomography of the brain today are common approaches in the diagnosis of various diseases. They use different beams to examine internal organs and systems. When diagnosing pathologies in the brain area, they have no equal in informational content.
Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic method that uses x-rays during the study. They are produced in a special department of the tomograph. With the help of suchimpact it turns out to assess the state of the intracranial space from different angles.
The device scans the brain in layers. Sensors receive feedback signals and build an overall picture in a three-dimensional projection. The image of the brain, which is obtained during the examination, is detailed, very accurate. Brain tomography is the basis for diagnosis.
Previously, radiography was used to diagnose various pathologies. During this examination, the patient received more x-rays. At the same time, the information content of such a survey was lower. Modern computed tomography irradiates the body much less. At the same time, it allows you to look at the object of study from different angles.
Indications
What does the tomography of the brain show? This procedure is prescribed in a number of cases. It allows you to diagnose vascular pathologies (thrombi, narrowing, hemorrhage), determine the presence of hematomas, as well as tumors. This diagnostic method allows you to examine in detail the tissues of the head, as well as the nerves. There are a number of indications for which a similar procedure is prescribed.
Computed tomography is often prescribed for people with a head injury. This is necessary to examine the bone tissue, to determine the degree of violation of its integrity. It also allows you to find foreign bodies. Computed tomography allows you to find hematomas, hemorrhages and assess their extent.
If a person has been diagnosed with a concussion, a similar procedureallows you to determine the degree of edema. Also, this technique is designed to identify and analyze the displacement of individual brain structures.
Computed tomography of the brain can be prescribed by a doctor if there are suspicions of the development of tumors, as well as an assessment of their condition. It can be either benign or malignant. If a person has no contraindications for an MRI, this diagnostic method is chosen. CT is suitable for those patients for whom magnetic resonance imaging is not suitable.
CT helps to assess in detail the condition of the vessels, the features of blood circulation in them. For this, a special substance is used, which is visible in x-rays. It is made from iodine. This allows you to identify the prerequisites for a stroke or its consequences.
Computed tomography is also used to diagnose and evaluate a brain abscess.
Contraindications
Knowing what brain tomography shows, we can draw conclusions about the high information content of the procedure. However, it is far from always possible to carry it out if there are suspicions of the development of pathology or its presence. There are a number of contraindications to the procedure.
In modern hospitals, equipment is installed that is designed for a patient weighing up to 130 kg. In some medical institutions, it can withstand heavy loads. However, these are in the minority. The maximum patient weight that even special equipment can support is 200 kg.
It is forbidden to carry out such a procedure forpregnant. X-ray radiation can adversely affect the fetus. Therefore, women in position, if indicated, can do a tomography of the brain using MRI. This procedure is not prohibited for them.
If a vascular examination is performed, the procedure is carried out using a contrast agent. It is injected into the vessels. The patient should not be allergic to iodine or other components of the drug. Also, a similar procedure is not carried out for people with impaired renal function, diabetes. During lactation, the procedure can be carried out, but it is impossible to feed the baby with breast milk during the day.
For children, such a procedure is not contraindicated from the age of 3 years. However, for small patients, the examination is carried out under general anesthesia. They are unable to remain still during the procedure. Older children (from 6 years old) need to be explained that the procedure is painless.
The difference between CT and MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain differs from computed tomography in a number of ways. This procedure has a number of specific contraindications. During this type of examination, the method of nuclear magnetic resonance is used. With CT, as already noted, x-rays are used.
Comparing these two approaches is not worth it. They are highly informative. But the difference between the two approaches is significant.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain allows you to clearly see the organs in which fluid accumulates. At the same time, they can beprotected by a dense layer of skeletal tissues. These objects include not only the head. This is the spinal cord, pelvic organs, joints.
Computed tomography allows you to examine and evaluate the structure of the skull in detail. X-ray radiation has a high resolution. These two approaches give the same result only when examining the digestive system, kidneys, endocrine glands.
Magnetic tomography of the brain takes longer. At the same time, its cost will be higher. CT is much easier. If there are no contraindications to its implementation, the doctor will prescribe this type of examination. If you are allergic to vascular dye, only MRI is possible during pregnancy.
Cost
Many patients ask where to get a brain tomography. This procedure is carried out in public clinics of regional centers, as well as in private medical institutions. Today, all major cities have the appropriate equipment. With insurance, you can get tested for free. To do this, the doctor issues the appropriate referral.
Often, patients have to undergo a similar procedure for a fee. This is due to some subtleties of the conclusion of he alth insurance. The price of brain tomography depends on the region, as well as the qualifications of the staff and the type of equipment. The cost of the procedure also depends on the policy of the clinic itself. Some services that doctors perform during the examination are not included in the price. It is imperative to knowwhat is included in the indicated price.
In the capital, the average cost of a CT scan of the brain is from 4.5 to 6 thousand rubles. This procedure is qualitatively carried out in such clinics as Medscan RF, Center for Endosurgery and Lithotripsy, AVS-Medicine and others.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain costs about 5-12 thousand rubles. Positive feedback is received by such clinics as "SM-Clinic", "MRI Diagnostic Center", "Best Clinic", "MedicCity" and others.
Preparation
Computed tomography of the brain in St. Petersburg, Moscow or other cities of the country is performed using the same technique. The procedure will not take long. She's pretty easy. No special preparation is needed for its implementation (an exception is contrast angiography of vessels).
Examination does not harm the body if there are no contraindications. Before the procedure, the doctor will recommend not to eat or drink for several hours. Before the procedure, you need to remove all jewelry, hairpins. You also need to warn the doctor about the presence of metal implants in the head area.
Examination is absolutely painless. Therefore, in the course of its implementation, there are practically no difficulties. You need to prepare a number of documents that the doctor will require before the examination.
You need to take a doctor's referral with you. At the request of the patient, such a procedure is not carried out. You also need to have a medical history, an anamnesis in writing. The card should contain conclusions from doctors that the patient has undergoneearlier.
Angiography requires serious preparation. It starts 2 weeks before the procedure. You will need to take a blood clotting test, refuse to drink any alcohol. They also do tests on the reaction of the body with the introduction of a contrast agent. They take a general and biochemical blood test.
Feedback on the procedure
Computed tomography of the brain is carried out quickly enough. The doctor puts the patient on a special table. When you press the button, the equipment will begin to smoothly move it forward. The patient's head enters the tunnel. However, the torso remains outside the enclosed space. This is especially important for people who are claustrophobic.
The procedure lasts from 30 min. up to one hour. Pictures are taken in different positions (there are 360 in total). They enter a computer program that builds a three-dimensional image. During the procedure, the person must lie still all the time. This is especially problematic for children. For them to be even half an hour without movement is a real punishment. For this reason, for small patients, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
Special procedure is tomography with contrast. In this case, a special substance is injected into a certain vein. Usually a catheter is used for this. It is injected into the femoral artery and advanced through the vessel to the desired level. This is a completely painless procedure. There are no nerve endings inside the vessels.
A substance that enters the body can causemetallic taste in the mouth. Also, the patient may feel heat in the face area. It's quite normal. Symptoms go away on their own.
What does the survey show?
The presented procedure is still being improved today. With the help of computed tomography, the doctor can evaluate the structure of the brain in fine detail. You can also see the metabolic processes that occur in the brain, its blood flow. Tomography of cerebral vessels allows to determine their structure, condition and interaction.
The procedure is also prescribed for the study of individual lobes of the brain, as well as their functioning. If the procedure is carried out with contrast, this significantly increases the effectiveness. However, not all patients qualify for this type of examination.
The CT image shows the soft tissue structure. This allows you to identify hematomas and neoplasms. You can also assess the condition of the skull, bone tissue.
Clots or hemorrhages, hematomas are clearly visible on CT. Aneurysms, malignant, benign neoplasms are also visible. Using the data of this examination, the doctor can diagnose the presence of acute meningitis, as well as a number of other dangerous pathologies.
Result
Tomography of the brain provides the result in the form of black and white images. They are recorded on electronic media.
The pictures clearly show the bones and blood vessels. If there are hemorrhages in the brain, foreignbody or accumulation of fluid, they will be darker in color than nearby tissues.
Modern equipment allows you to get a three-dimensional image of different brain tissues. The doctor can look at the area of interest from all sides. The communication of vessels with a particular area, the type of its blood supply is also evaluated. At the same time, the doctor can evaluate both venous, arterial circulation, and blood circulation in the capillaries.
How often can I get tested?
The presented procedure, although carried out on modern equipment, irradiates the human body. X-rays pass through his tissues, affecting new cells. Therefore, you should not undergo this examination because of your own whim. The radiation dose from a CT scan will be even higher than from a lung x-ray.
This procedure is not indicated simply because of the presence of dizziness, tinnitus or headaches. There should be characteristic symptoms that indicate the presence of significant abnormalities in the brain. Only in this case, the doctor prescribes a CT scan. It will be appropriate only if without this diagnosis it is impossible to make a correct diagnosis.
In some cases, the patient has complications. This may be malaise, headache, allergy to drugs, etc. Therefore, the technology of the examination must be carried out exactly to the smallest detail. Some procedures (vascular angiography) require careful preparation. This will reduce the risk of complications.
Survey frequency allowed per year,corresponds to the dose of radiation that a person receives, the characteristics of his body.
Having considered what a brain tomography is, you can understand the features of its implementation and purpose.
