The effectiveness of treatment depends entirely on the accuracy of the diagnosis. Often there are so-called "medical errors" when a person is treated for a completely different disease, causing irreparable harm to his body. Incorrectly prescribed therapy leads to a chronic course of the disease or even death. Comparatively recently, spiral computed tomography has been used in medicine, which makes it possible to make an accurate diagnosis.
The essence of the technique
What is this CT scan? This is a high-tech method, characterized by numerous advantages and unique precision. At the same time, the doctor receives the result much faster than with standard procedures.
How is a spiral computed tomography performed? During it, the table on which the patient should lie begins to move smoothly and slowly. An X-ray tube with detectors located on its surface begins to rotate around it in the same way.
The device is able to recognize neoplasms of very small size, up to 1 mm. This allows early detection and treatment of cancer. One anatomical area is scanned for 5 minutes, and the laser camera takes wide-angle images.
A striking effect is achieved on 64-slice modern high-speed tomographs - at a low level of radiation, two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of excellent quality are obtained.
Indications
Spiral tomography is needed in the following cases:
- examination of the brain, as a result of which the doctor can detect areas of stroke and injured blood vessels;
- detection of inflammatory processes in the paranasal sinuses;
- determining the cause of the formation of lymph nodes in the neck;
- diagnosis confirmation before abdominal surgery;
- detection of changes in the lungs;
- diagnosis of intervertebral hernias.
Benefits
Spiral computed tomography has certain advantages over conventional imaging methods:
- Scanning (gathering information) is very fast. For a smalla period of time, an image of a certain anatomical region is formed, while the image quality is very high.
- Spatial 3D images are more accurate, and 3D models show the exact location of the pathology. The use of spiral scanning techniques allows you to examine the arteries, identify vascular aneurysms, their length, narrowing.
- Non-invasive compared to myelography, ventriculography.
- Artifacts from blood flow are not visible on the pictures.
- Compared to conventional tomography, the patient's exposure to X-rays is reduced.
How is the procedure done?
For 4 hours before the CT scan, you can not eat or drink. Sometimes the patient needs to drink a contrast agent before examining specific organs.
To do a helical computed tomography, the patient must lie down on a table that is movable, thanks to which it rolls into a special tunnel. To make the patient more comfortable, the table is equipped with special belts and pillows. This helps to limit his movement during the examination so that the images are not blurry and clear.
Those patients who, for certain reasons, cannot lie still for a long time and hold their breath for a short time, are given sedatives.
In another room there is a computer station, at which the doctor-technologist works, using the screen the managerscanner and giving instructions to the patient.
Spiral computed tomography is considered quite safe. Although the patient receives a small amount of X-ray exposure during the examination, it is so small that it does not cause any harm to the body.
Contraindications
There is a certain risk of an allergic reaction when a patient is given a contrast agent or sedative.
If a patient suffers from asthma, diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, thyroid disease or heart disease, he must inform the doctor about it.
This procedure is contraindicated for pregnant women. If it is carried out in case of emergency, then the stomach is covered with a lead screen. It is also forbidden to examine those patients who have pacemakers, ferromagnetic implants, as well as those weighing more than 130 kg.
Abdominal examination
Spiral computed tomography of the abdominal cavity allows you to see a clear multi-layered image of organs such as the spleen, liver, pancreas and others. It is carried out if the patient complains of pain in the pelvis, abdomen, as well as in some diseases of the large and small intestines.
In addition, the procedure is necessary for diagnosis:
- appendicitis, diverticulitis, pyelonephritis, bladder and kidney stones;
- cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, internal bleeding, polyps and inflammatory bowel disease;
- cancerous tumors of the abdominal organs;
- diseases of the lymph nodes and blood vessels.
Spiral computed tomography of the abdominal organs is performed with the obligatory use of a contrast agent.
Lung exam
This procedure is necessary to detect lung cancer and metastases. Spiral computed tomography of the lungs is prescribed if there are all signs of a malignant tumor of these organs, and the x-ray could not give accurate information about it. In addition, the examination is prescribed for tuberculosis, lung abscess, parasitic lung cysts, sarcoidosis, pneumonia.
Before the procedure, the patient is injected into a vein with a contrast agent containing iodine. If you are allergic to this remedy, you should tell your doctor.
Brain examination
Spiral computed tomography of the brain is widely used to diagnose severe and very severe head injuries, with high intracranial pressure, changes in blood circulation. The device is able to detect pathological conditions (neoplasms, abscesses, cavities) that are not visible on a conventional tomograph. This procedure increases the likelihood of detecting and preventing strokes and heart attacks.
Also,spiral tomography is necessary in the following cases:
- to establish the causes of headaches, sudden paralysis, periodic clouding of consciousness, various visual disturbances, in violation of the sensitivity of certain areas of the body;
- if there is a suspicion of a brain tumor, ruptured aortic aneurysm, intracranial bleeding;
- to determine the function of the inner ear in case of hearing loss;
- if it is necessary to develop a plan for an upcoming operation or evaluate the success of a brain operation;
- to identify damaged areas of the brain.
Sometimes a brain examination requires the use of a contrast agent, which greatly facilitates the detection of cysts, atherosclerotic plaques, tumors, metastases, blood clots.
Chest examination
Spiral computed tomography of the chest cavity is performed to detect tuberculous foci, bronchopleural fistulas and bronchiectasis cavities. This procedure allows you to very accurately determine the location of the tumor, rupture or stratification of the walls of blood vessels, to identify an increase in lymph nodes.
Such an examination is successfully used in oncosurgery, allowing to study the state of a cancerous tumor, to determine its boundaries and dimensions. In some cases, helical tomography is prescribed to detect foreign bodies, to urgently determine the causes of shortness of breath, or for swallowing difficulties.
Conclusion
Thus, spiral computed tomography is a modern methodexamination of various organs, which allows to establish the correct diagnosis very accurately. The radiation doses in such a study are so negligible that they do not cause any harm to a person, so you should not be afraid of such a procedure.
