The cervical spine is the most mobile and vulnerable area of the spine. It is most susceptible to damage and deformation, the natural consequence of which is a significant decrease in the degree of motor activity. In the diagnosis of diseases of the cervical spine, an X-ray examination is important . It is characterized by high information content, accessibility and ease of implementation.
The essence of the procedure
X-ray is an instrumental method used in the diagnosis of injuries and pathologies of internal organs. During the study, special equipment acts with special rays on the necessary part of the patient's body. They, unlike ordinary light, pass through the body through.
After the rays penetrate the desired zone, the equipment detector, which has a high degree of sensitivity, captures them, as a result of which the doctor can visualize a black and white image.
Light areas on the radiograph are bones and joints. This is because the dense structures of the body completely absorb the rays. The areas through which the beams pass through are black in the images.
During the procedure, the patient is exposed to radiation, but its degree is minimal and does not affect the state of health. In addition, health workers conduct research in compliance with all safety rules.
X-ray of the neck: indications
This section of the spine is extremely necessary: important vessels pass through it, responsible for the full blood supply to the brain. It also contains nerve bundles that connect the upper organs and tissues to the central nervous system. But the corset muscle corset is underdeveloped, which increases the risk of serious damage. That is why, if any alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe an x-ray of the cervical spine.
Indications for the study are the following conditions:
- Pain during any head movements, up to the fact that it is impossible to tilt or turn in any direction.
- Frequent occurrence of uncomfortable sensations in the hands: numbness, tingling, etc.
- Before my eyes constantly ripples, vision deteriorated.
- Migraine.
- Dizziness.
- Crunch of the cervical vertebrae .
- Lack of coordination of movements.
An X-ray of the neck provides the doctor with information about any pathological changes at the earliest stage of the development of the disease. In some cases, research is the only method by which it is possible to detect an ailment in a given part of the body.
What does it show?
X-ray of the neck is an informative method used to diagnose the following diseases and conditions:
- Various types of injuries (dislocations, fractures, etc.).
- Radiculitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the nerve roots of the spinal cord.
- Scoliosis - spinal deformities.
- Arthritis - joint damage.
- Lordosis, kyphosis - deflections of the spine (in the first case forward, in the second backward).
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is a degenerative state of the cartilage of the joints.
- Neoplasms of both benign and malignant nature.
- Birth injury.
- Congenital and acquired pathologies in children.
X-ray of the neck is a research method that allows you to evaluate the condition of bones and joints. Soft tissue passes rays through itself, so they are not visible in the picture. Other diagnostic methods are used to identify their pathologies.
Contraindications
An x-ray of the neck, like any other instrumental method of research, has a number of limitations to its implementation.
The main contraindications are:
- Pregnancy. A single dose of radiation, which does not harm an adult, adversely affects the fetal development. If during pregnancy, research is a necessity, before making an x-ray of the neck for the expectant mother, they try to protect the child as much as possible.
- Obesity. If the patient suffers from excess weight, the degree of information content of x-rays is significantly reduced (they are fuzzy).
- Examination with barium suspension, from the date of completion of which less than four hours have passed.
In the presence of any of these contraindications, an x-ray of the neck is not prescribed.
How is it carried out?
The study is carried out in separate shielded rooms. This is explained by the need to protect neighboring rooms from radiation. The X-ray room is always quite cool due to the continuous operation of air conditioners, which provide optimal conditions for the operation of the equipment.
Before the procedure, the patient does not need to follow any preparation rules.
The study is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- The medical worker, before making an x-ray of the neck, asks the patient to free his upper body from clothes and jewelry, as they can distort the image.
- The man is laid on the couch. In order to protect the internal organs and gonads, the medical professional puts on a special apron or vest on the patient. They are made of plates that do not pass harmful rays through themselves. To obtain the most complete picture and accurate diagnosis, you need to take pictures in two projections. For this, a person first lies motionless on his back, then on his side. In some cases, the study is carried out through the oral cavity, which allows the doctor to get the most reliable information about the condition of the anterior neck.
- At the end of the procedure, the patient dresses and can immediately begin his usual activities.
The duration of the session is about 15 minutes, while in fact a person is irradiated for 1-2 minutes.
In cases where the patient cannot move, the study is carried out using portable equipment, which is equipped with an intensive care unit.
The procedure does not cause any pain. Some patients feel a little discomfort associated with the need to be without clothes in a cool room.
Functional X-ray
This concept refers to advanced diagnosis of the cervical spine. With its help, it is possible to detect even the slightest degree of deformation and displacement of the vertebrae, changes in the discs, etc.
The essence of carrying out an x-ray of the neck with functional tests is as follows: after receiving standard images in two projections, the doctor asks to occupy the supine position. After this, the patient needs to bend as much as possible, and then unbend his neck.
An expanded type of study is prescribed if there is a suspicion of the presence of diseases associated with mobility, which is between the vertebrae and functional blocks.
This method is effective in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis of both acute and chronic nature. This is because a standard snapshot cannot provide accurate information about the existing offsets.
In addition, it is worth noting the following advantage of radiography with functional tests: the doctor gets the opportunity to assess the condition of the cervical spine not only from standard images. Thanks to this, the pathology is studied as detailed as possible, and then the most suitable treatment regimen is compiled. In addition, in the process of bending, you can analyze the nature of the narrowing of the discs located in the front, which is also important for making an accurate diagnosis and developing a treatment plan.
Features of the study in childhood
Children's age is not a contraindication to the implementation of radiography. It can be carried out at any stage of growing up a child.
An x-ray of the neck allows you to timely detect the following congenital and acquired pathologies in children:
- displacement of the vertebrae;
- scoliosis;
- asymmetric muscle tone;
- violations of orthopedic nature;
- cervical instability;
- birth and domestic injuries (fractures, dislocations).
The procedure is fraught with certain difficulties for children under the age of about 3 years. It is extremely difficult for a small child to be kept stationary for several minutes. In this regard, doctors are trying to select alternative diagnostic methods. In this case, radiography can be done even for very young children.
The research methodology is absolutely identical to that used to diagnose cervical pathologies in adults. The child must also lie on a special couch (first on his back, then on his side) and strictly follow all the commands of the medical worker.
Many parents are concerned about radiography due to the fact that children receive a certain dose of radiation during the process. Today, both private and state medical institutions are mostly equipped with advanced equipment with high-quality security systems, and therefore all possible risks are minimized. In addition, parents have the right to ask about the reliability and level of protection of the device installed in the selected clinic.
If more than one procedure is needed to make an accurate diagnosis, the child’s medical record contains information about when the radiography was taken and what dose of radiation the child received. Using this information, the doctor determines when the next time a procedure can be performed without harm to the health of a growing organism.
How to determine the condition of the vessels of the neck?
Not always a standard study is enough to make the correct diagnosis. The state of the vessels of the neck x-ray will not show. In such cases, doctors prescribe an MRI. The advantage of this diagnostic method is that in the process it is possible to visualize not only bones and joints, but also soft tissues, veins, arteries. The study is not associated with any discomfort, in addition, the process is safe.
Where to do
Today, almost every medical institution (both public and private) is equipped with the necessary equipment. Information about where to take an x-ray of the neck is provided by the doctor who prescribed the study. As a rule, it is carried out in the same hospital.
The patient has the right to receive information from medical personnel regarding how safe the equipment is. Obsolete x-ray tubes generate more powerful radiation than modern ones.
Cost
In the presence of a medical policy, research can be done in the clinic in which the patient is observed. It is free and by appointment.
If desired, an x-ray of the neck can be done in a private clinic. In this case, the cost of the study varies between 500-2000 rubles.
Finally
The cervical spine is the most vulnerable part of it. If you experience pain and other disturbing symptoms, you must consult your doctor, who will give a referral to radiography. Using this study, it is possible to identify various pathologies of the cervical spine at an early stage. The procedure does not require any preparation, it is painless and takes no more than 15 minutes.