One of the most modern methods of researching human tissues and organs is multispiral computed tomography, or MSCT. What is it and what is the principle of research?
MSCT is considered one of the types of
CT (computed tomography). The principle of examination is the same for them: with the help of X-ray radiation, using the difference in the absorption of rays by tissues of different densities, the tomograph examines the patient's body in layers. But with MSCT, a two-dimensional arrangement of detectors is used, and with CT, linear sensors are used.
The two-dimensional array of multispiral tomograph sensors, which moves in a spiral around the patient, makes it possible to obtain several fragments at once, which allows high-speed image capture of large areas. The resulting fragment is processed and displayed in the usual or three-dimensional form. A high examination speed facilitates the diagnosis of severe patients and makes it possible to contrast vessels.
MSCT is successfully used in the study of cancer, cardiovascular and infectious diseases, as well as in serious injuries of the musculoskeletal system and bleeding in tissues and organs due to injuries.
What are the indications for the appointment of MSCT?
Modern diagnosis of many diseases is unthinkable without MSCT. What does this examination reveal and at what indications is multislice computed tomography prescribed?
If the patient’s body has implants that contain metal, then only diagnostics on a multispiral tomograph will help, and MRI and CT are contraindicated. In diseases requiring emergency treatment or accompanied by severe pain, when a person is physically unable to lie still for a long period of time, MSCT will be the only correct research method. Multispiral computed tomography is also indispensable for such medical cases:
1. It allows not only to diagnose oncological formations of the liver, spleen, pancreas, bladder, kidneys and extraorgan tumors of the retroperitoneal zone and abdominal cavity, but also determines the degree of damage and the type of tumor: benign or malignant.
2. It gives an accurate diagnosis of bone fractures, degenerative changes in the spine, bone lesions with metastases, reveals hernias in the lumbar region.
3. With pulmonary embolism, it determines circulatory disorders and the degree of damage to large arteries.
4. All serious injuries can only be correctly assessed using a multispiral tomograph.
5. It makes it possible to identify even minor and single foci of tuberculosis.
Why is contrast enhancement necessary?
The study on a multispiral tomograph makes it possible to perfectly see not only bones and airways, but also soft tissues. This allows you to diagnose serious diseases in the initial stages, for example, to identify a small malignancy when there is still the possibility of surgical treatment.
Contrast enhancement is used to better differentiate human organs from each other, normal structures from pathological neoplasms. There are two methods of conducting MSCT with contrast: intravenous and bolus.
In the first method, the contrast agent is injected without adjusting the time and speed into the vein with an x-ray laboratory assistant, then a study is carried out. This method is used on slower first generation tomographs.
In bolus contrast, a special substance is injected with a syringe injector at a set time and speed. The advantage of this method is that it differentiates the phases of contrasting, which makes the study more effective, and the results more reliable.
When is multispiral computed tomography of the brain performed?
In modern medicine, for the diagnosis of brain diseases, the leading position is the study of MSCT. What does this study diagnose? What are its symptoms?
MSCT is used for diagnosis in such pathologies:
- oncological formations of the brain, as well as abnormalities in its development;
- stroke;
- high intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus;
- chronic form of vascular insufficiency;
- trauma or inflammation of the brain;
- chronic and acute stages of diseases of the inner ear or paranasal sinuses.
With frequent and severe headaches, memory impairment, dizziness, you need to contact a neurologist to decide on the need for a brain MSCT to exclude life-threatening pathological changes in this organ. This is especially important for patients who have suffered brain injuries, stroke, transient ischemic attack in the past or have all the signs of a pre-stroke condition at the time of going to the doctor.
Indications for multispiral abdominal computed tomography
During abdominal MSCT, the doctor evaluates tissues, organs and systems in this area: liver, biliary tract, gall bladder, spleen, kidney, urinary tract, pancreas and other organs. The radiologist analyzes the structure, size and position of the organs; the existence of pathological neoplasms; the presence of calculi in the organs of this zone; bile duct functionality; the condition of the lymph nodes.
Indications for MSCT of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space:
- oncological formations and tumor damage (metastases);
- cysts, adenomas and abscesses;
- serious injuries and suspected damage to organs and blood vessels;
- urolithiasis disease;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- diseases of any abdominal organs;
- inflammatory processes;
- pathology of the abdominal aorta and its branches;
- organ abnormalities.
When is MSCT prescribed for chest organs?
To assess the state of organs and tissues in the chest area, the highest research method is used - MSCT. What does this examination evaluate and for which diseases is it prescribed?
This technique makes it possible to analyze and assess the state of organs and soft tissues of the chest (lungs, heart, blood vessels, esophagus, trachea and others), lymph nodes, and bone structures.
Indications for MSCT of the chest:
- tumor formations and their metastases;
- abnormalities and malformations of the heart and bronchopulmonary system;
- diffuse lung diseases;
- inflammatory processes that caused damage to the chest organs;
- serious injuries.
MSCT procedure: recommendations, cost and contraindications
To conduct MSCT research, you need to dress in loose clothing. All foreign objects and jewelry must be removed during the procedure, including hearing or dentures. It is necessary to refuse food a few hours before the examination, especially when using the contrast method.
The study is absolutely painless, and the dose of radiation received is minimal. The procedure lasts (depending on complexity) from 5 to 30 minutes, requires patient immobility.
Using the contrast method in the study, the type of contrast medium and its amount are factors that affect the cost of MSCT. The price also depends on the location and size of the examination area, diagnostic tasks and additional services. You can clarify the cost of any MSCT by going to the website page of the selected clinic or by calling. On average, prices for such a procedure range from 1.5 to 11.5 thousand rubles.
Contraindications and risks of MSCT
- lactating women are prohibited from feeding during the day after the introduction of contrast;
- a study of pregnant patients is carried out for health reasons;
- examination of children is carried out only in case of emergency and repeated procedure is prohibited;
- extremely rarely there is an allergy to contrast agents that contain iodine.
Conclusion
MSCT is a painless and informative diagnostic method with several advantages:
- perfectly visualizes both bones and soft tissues, blood vessels;
- high research speed is especially important for serious emergency conditions;
- higher quality of the result, less sensitivity to the patient’s movement and lower cost than MRI;
- conducting minimally invasive procedures makes it possible to do without surgical intervention for diagnostic purposes;
- minimal exposure and absence of residual radiation after the study.