Chest x-ray is a fairly common diagnostic method. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a procedure to identify certain diseases when characteristic symptoms appear. This survey is quite informative. How this procedure is carried out, as well as its features will be discussed below.
General Description
Many people are wondering what is the difference between fluorography and chest X-ray, what is this procedure. During its implementation, diagnostics of tissues, as well as internal organs in the examined area, is carried out. For this, X-rays are used. The denser the fabrics, the lighter they look in the picture. This allows you to examine the bones, organs of the chest, anatomical structures.
Today the picture is being processed using a computer. The image is sent to the screen in digital format. This does not require the use of film. New technologies allow you to take pictureshigh quality with large extension. The image may not appear distorted or scratched (as sometimes happened when using film).
New equipment sends less radiation into the body. Radiation exposure is reduced by 40% compared to older X-ray machines. The procedure can be carried out aiming or review. It depends on the purpose of the diagnosis.
So, what is the difference between fluorography and chest X-ray? These are almost identical procedures. Radiography is a more modern technique. It is highly accurate. In this case, the radiation exposure of fluorography is greater. X-ray examination allows a more detailed assessment of the condition of the internal organs of the chest.
Indications for examination
Chest X-ray is prescribed for suspected various pathologies. In case of lung diseases, this procedure is carried out in order to determine the condition of the internal organs. Before giving direction for this diagnosis, the doctor examines the patient. If there is a suspicion of the development of lung diseases, an x-ray is a very informative technique.
To write a referral, the doctor first gets acquainted with the symptoms that the patient has. The reason for the procedure is a cough, fever or fever. This is especially important if this condition persists for more than a week. Also a sign of lung disease is shortness of breath, cough with sputum. When listening to the chest, wheezing is heard. AlsoThe patient may have chest pain. A particularly dangerous sign is hemoptysis.
Such symptoms may indicate the development of a lung disease. However, upon examination, the doctor can only make a preliminary diagnosis. It can only be checked with an x-ray. After taking the pictures, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis. Timely and proper treatment will avoid the development of serious complications.
Why is a chest x-ray done? This procedure will confirm or refute the presence of such lung diseases:
- bronchitis (acute, chronic);
- pneumonia;
- bronchial asthma;
- tuberculosis;
- emphysema;
- neoplasms (benign, malignant);
- pulmonary edema;
- respiratory failure;
- pneumothorax.
It is recommended to undergo a similar procedure once a year. But under certain circumstances, unscheduled shots are required.
Diseases of the cardiovascular and skeletal system
After reviewing the description of a chest x-ray, we can conclude that a similar procedure is used to diagnose diseases of the lungs, as well as other systems in this department of the body. These are the pathologies of the cardiovascular system, as well as bone tissues. It's also a pretty informative approach.
In diseases of the heart, X-rays can be prescribed as an additional diagnostic in combination with ECG and auscultation. procedureprescribed when certain symptoms appear. This, for example, can be shortness of breath, fatigue, pain in the sternum. This diagnostic method is informative for such diseases:
- heart failure (chronic);
- hypertrophic, dilated cardiomyopathy;
- heart attack and its consequences;
- heart disease (congenital, acquired);
- arterial thromboembolism;
- aortic aneurysm;
- other.
Chest x-ray is always prescribed for injuries in this area. This allows you to diagnose a bruise, fracture of the ribs, spine, collarbones. At the same time, fragments of bones are visible, the presence of foreign bodies is determined.
When the chest is injured, air can get into it. This condition is also diagnosed using x-rays. This technique allows you to determine diseases of the spine, for example, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia. However, to clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance or computed tomography may be prescribed.
Contraindications
However, it is not always possible to take a chest X-ray. Is it worth going through this process? The answer to this question depends on the general condition of the body, as well as the dose of radiation that a person receives. There are a limited number of x-ray procedures per year.
There are a number of contraindications to such a procedure. There are few of them, but in some cases it is better to refuse such an examination. ATIn some conditions, radiation adversely affects body systems. The procedure is not performed in the presence of open bleeding. With multiple fractures of the bones of the chest and spine, this diagnosis is also not used.
Also, a similar technique is contraindicated in the general serious condition of a person. During pregnancy, radiation is contraindicated. This can negatively affect the development of the fetus. Also, for children under 15 years old, this procedure is prescribed only as a last resort.
The listed contraindications are rather relative. If the benefit of the procedure significantly outweighs the harm, they are neglected. In some cases, it is better to use other diagnostic methods, such as MRI or ultrasound.
Can children take x-rays?
A child's chest X-ray is done only in the most extreme cases. For a growing organism, this is an unsafe procedure. It is relatively safe for a child to receive a radiation dose of up to 0.3 mSv per year. These are 1-2 similar procedures.
Chest X-ray of a child is performed using special protective equipment. They put on a collar and an apron made of a material that does not transmit rays. This is a sheet of thick lead. It is better at such a young age to give preference to other diagnostic methods.
It is also worth noting that babies are usually afraid of such procedures. They scream, cry and cannot sit still. To take a picture, the small patient must not move. Sometimes this is almost impossible to achieve.
Procedureis unsafe for those cells of the body that are constantly developing, are in the process of division. Therefore, for an adult male, the procedure will be safe. But for children and pregnant women, even a small dose of radiation can cause irreparable damage. Particularly affected are the cells of the endocrine glands, bone marrow.
How often is x-rayed?
Normally, a chest x-ray is done once a year at a he alth check-up or in case of emergency as prescribed by a doctor. For a year, a person receives radiation from the environment of about 2.4 mSv. During the X-ray, the radiation dose will be significantly less.
Even on old equipment, this figure is no more than 0.4 mSv. New X-ray machines take a picture at a radiation level of 0.03-0.06 mSv. Radiation exposure from a chest x-ray is negligible. However, it is worth considering that there are certain restrictions on the passage of this procedure. A person should not receive more than 1 mSv of radiation per year.
According to these data, it can be easily calculated that the presented type of X-ray can be performed about 15-20 times a year. However, in addition to such a procedure, a person may need to take an x-ray of other parts of the body. In this case, you need to take into account what dose of radiation the body has already received this year.
Computed tomography is especially dangerous. During its implementation, a person receives a dose of radiation of 5-7 mSv. Therefore, it can be done no more than once a year. At the same time, othersX-ray procedures will need to be avoided. Otherwise, it may lead to serious consequences.
Preparation rules
Preparing for a chest x-ray is a simple process. You will need to remove all metal objects, jewelry from the neck. It is also better to remove watches and earrings from your hand. During the procedure, all electronic devices will need to be left away from the equipment.
Special preparation for the examination is not required. You don't need to follow a diet. The patient can eat and drink immediately before the procedure. The main thing - in the process of creating a picture, do not move. Otherwise, the image will be smeared.
Doctors do not recommend smoking immediately before the procedure. Of course, if there are already pathological changes in the body, an extra cigarette will not change the situation. However, it is best to stop smoking for a few hours before the procedure. This bad habit leads to a narrowing of the vessels that permeate the tissues of the lungs. As a result, their structure may change. This will be visible in the picture.
Change in lung pattern will be regarded as a pathology. Therefore, for the accuracy of the result, you should try to avoid smoking before x-rays. Otherwise, the result will be distorted. Sometimes it even prevents a correct diagnosis.
Where to get tested?
There are several recommendations for where to get a chest X-ray. It is better to choose a clinic that has a modernequipment. In this case, the radiation dose will be minimal. In such institutions, the room in which the study is carried out should be spacious enough. Its area must be at least 50 m².
There may be several different devices of different power in the room. All surfaces of the room must be protected with special material. The radiologist's office is located in a separate compartment. There may be a special glass that does not transmit rays. This room contains computer equipment.
In Moscow, many clinics carry out a similar procedure. Usually patients go to paid medical institutions. The cost of such a procedure is from 1350 rubles. The price may depend on the pricing policy of the clinic. One of the most popular institutions in the capital where you can perform a similar procedure is the SM-Clinic.
However, modern equipment has been installed in all paid medical institutions in regional centers and large cities. This allows everyone to get a full examination.
Procedure in some cases can be performed at home. For this, mobile equipment is used. The quality of the pictures is no different. This service is available for people who cannot stand upright during the picture. In this case, the team goes to the house or performs the procedure in the ward.
During professional examinations, to save time for the annual examination, the management of the enterprise can also order an on-site x-ray machine. This service is charged according tomedical facility rates.
How is the examination carried out?
Chest x-rays can be done with different designs of equipment. In most cases, it assumes that the patient is in an upright position.
Before the procedure, the patient must remove clothing up to the waist and all metal objects. Then he stands on a special platform in front of the shield. You need to hug him tightly. The tube that will generate the x-rays is in this position 2 m away from the patient.
When the doctor gives a signal, a lot of air is taken into the lungs. In this position, you need to freeze for a few seconds. The picture can be taken in two projections (front and side). This will only take a few seconds. This is a completely painless procedure. Description and decoding can be done in a few minutes. In some clinics, this process may take several days.
Interpretation of the result
What does a chest x-ray show? After receiving the images, the doctor makes a brief description of them and gives a conclusion. This indicates the location of the heart, its size and parenchyma. The following describes the condition of other organs of the chest. The doctor describes the condition of the lungs, bronchi, lymph nodes and blood vessels.
If there are foreign bodies in the area under study, neoplasms, the radiologist must indicate this in the report. In some cases, this is why a chest x-ray is prescribed. What the picture shows can only be determined by a qualified specialist.
The doctor also evaluates the qualitysnapshot. This allows you to draw a conclusion about possible inaccuracies in the image.
If there are certain pathologies, this will be immediately noticeable in the picture. For example, pneumonia is manifested by the presence of a large number of additional tissues. With venous congestion, which is determined in the area of the small circle, a special basal form will be present in the picture. It is somewhat reminiscent of butterfly wings. Uneven darkening, similar to flakes, indicates pulmonary edema.
Wrong result
False positive chest x-rays can appear on film. New equipment almost always shows accurate results. In some cases, images show structures that are not actually present in the lungs. This is possible due to the overlaying of shadows of other organs in pathological fractures, vascular deformities, etc. Sometimes, because of this, the result can be a false negative. However, this rarely happens.
Having considered the features of a chest x-ray, you can get a general idea of \u200b\u200bthis procedure. Modern equipment allows you to get accurate results.
