The brain is an extremely important organ. In many cases, an X-ray examination is the only diagnostic method that allows you to evaluate its condition and identify the presence of a pathological process at the very early stage of the development of the disease. Based on the results, the doctor can draw up a treatment regimen, and then evaluate the degree of its effectiveness.
The essence of the method
X-ray of the brain is an instrumental diagnostic method that allows you to study in detail the state of the bone structures of the organ. Its essence is to assess the penetrating ability of tissues.
An X-ray of the brain involves irradiation of an organ. In this case, the cells begin to absorb it to varying degrees. X-rays transmitted through the tissues already have other characteristics that are fixed on a special plate.
The doctor can immediately see the result of the study on the monitor. X-ray of the brain (photo of the image is presented below) implies obtaining an image in the form of a negative. At the same time, bone structures have light shades, and cavities and soft tissues are light. Non-physiological dimming indicates the presence of a pathological process.
Indications
An X-ray of the brain is prescribed to assess the condition of the exclusively cranial box. If you need to analyze the functioning of the organ itself, it is necessary to conduct a study such as MRI.
Many patients are interested in whether an X-ray shows concussion. No, with the help of the study it is not possible to identify the presence of this pathological condition. This is again due to the fact that the x-ray is designed to assess the state of bone structures. A competent doctor determines the concussion according to the patient's complaints and clinical manifestations.
Indications for an X-ray of the brain:
- Trembling hands.
- Head injuries.
- Frequent episodes of darkness in the eyes.
- Regular headaches.
- Nosebleeds.
- The presence of pain during chewing food.
- Impaired vision and / or hearing.
- Fainting.
- Suspicion of the development of the oncological process.
- Progressive asymmetry of the facial bones.
- Pathology of the organs of the endocrine system.
- Congenital diseases of the bones of the skull.
An X-ray of the brain is contraindicated in pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. If there is a vital need, the doctor correlates the benefits of the study and the possible risks.
What shows
An X-ray of the brain is a diagnostic method by which it is possible to detect the presence of the following conditions and diseases:
- Osteoporosis.
- Cysts
- Deformations of the skull of an innate nature.
- Brain hernia.
- Tumors An X-ray of the brain reveals both benign and malignant neoplasms.
- Intracranial hyper- and hypotension.
- Osteosclerosis
- Hematomas.
- Osteoma.
- Meningioma
- Fractures.
- Calcification.
- Inflammatory processes in the sinuses.
- The presence of pathologies of a secondary nature.
- Accumulation of fluid in the cranium.
Most often, a study is prescribed after receiving various kinds of injuries. In second place is an x-ray of a brain tumor.
Preparation
Neither the daily regimen, nor the diet, nor other factors can affect the state of bone structures on the eve of the study. In this regard, before the x-ray of the brain does not need to follow any specific rules. A few minutes before the study, the doctor describes the essence of the method and warns about the patient receiving a small fraction of the radiation.
Algorithm
The procedure is carried out in an x-ray room. Initially, the patient needs to remove jewelry, other metal objects, glasses and dentures (if they have a removable structure).
Further, the research algorithm is as follows:
- A man takes a place in an x-ray machine. After that, he takes a sitting or lying position (it depends on the design of the device).
- The doctor puts on protective devices on the patient. Hands, trunk and lower limbs are covered with a special apron. The material from which it is made does not transmit x-rays.
- The patient's head is fixed with special devices (fasteners or dressings). This is due to the fact that during the study it must be motionless. In some clinics, for the purpose of fixing the head, fabric bags filled with sand are used.
- The doctor takes an x-ray. There may also be several. For example, during an x-ray of a tumor, the doctor takes pictures in different projections. This is necessary to obtain the most complete information about the pathology and to draw up the most effective treatment regimen.
The duration of the procedure is several minutes. The study is not accompanied by the occurrence of painful and other uncomfortable sensations in patients.
Features in children
Indications for the study are the same as in adults. However, they try to prescribe a brain x-ray only in case of emergency. This is due to the fact that the physiology of babies proceeds in a completely different way than in adults. The body is only being formed and is very sensitive to the impact of any negative factors. In other words, what is relatively harmless to an adult can be dangerous for a child. That is why doctors try to prescribe X-rays less often so that the body of the kids is not irradiated.
The difficulty lies in the fact that other instrumental diagnostic methods cannot be considered as an alternative. For example, with the help of MRI it is impossible to assess the condition of the bone structures of the skull, and ultrasound is not able to penetrate absolutely all areas.
If carrying out an x-ray of the brain is a vital necessity, then it is carried out, but the precautionary measures are strengthened several times. The child’s body is wrapped in lead aprons to minimize the risk of exposure to other organs.
Small children are almost impossible to get in a stationary state for several minutes. In such cases, it is advisable to administer the drug, after which the child will have a medical sleep for some time .
Equipment
The study is carried out using an x-ray machine. This is an installation that consists of the following elements:
- The feeding device.
- X-ray tubes (there may also be several).
- A device designed to transform radiation that has passed through tissue.
- Devices for converting the flow of light beams.
- Devices with which you can move radiation sources if necessary.
X-ray machines can be mobile, fixed and portable. Modern devices are equipped with a digital radiation meter. Due to this, the transillumination of the organs becomes not constant, but pulsating. As a result, the patient receives a minimum dose of radiation.
Possible risks
The technique is considered relatively safe. Doctors have determined the maximum degree of exposure that the body can receive without risk. The dose from one procedure is as much as a person would receive, relaxing on the beach on a sunny day for an hour. And this is only 5% of the indicator calculated by doctors.
In critical situations (for example, if the patient’s life depends on the result of the study), specialists increase the dose. This is necessary in order to get the most clear picture and identify the development of the pathological process. But even in this case, an X-ray of the brain is a relatively safe study.
The exception is children. The smaller the size of the body, the greater the radiation dose. In addition, an additional risk is created for the work of other internal organs. The body of the child is constantly in the stage of active formation and growth. If at this time you act on it with x-rays, there will be a risk of developing all kinds of anomalies. That is why such a brain study is carried out only if there is a threat to the baby's life. The procedure should always be carried out with a preliminary strengthening of security measures.
Interpretation of Results
The speed of obtaining images and their clarity directly depend on the type of x-ray machine. If the unit is equipped with a digital device, images can be displayed to the patient on the same day. Moreover, most often they are provided on electronic media. Deciphering the study by a doctor takes about half an hour in a private medical institution and up to 3 days in a state.
If an X-ray of the brain was carried out using an analog setup, the specialist needs additional time to develop an image on the film. In this case, the clarity of the image will be lower than those received on a digital apparatus.
Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor fills out the study protocol. The specialist evaluates the shape of the bones of the skull and sutures, their size and thickness. The doctor also analyzes the vascular pattern. The specialist may suspect the development of the pathological process by evaluating the tones and halftones of the image. For example, darkening in the image may indicate the development of an inflammatory process or oncology.
Where to do
An X-ray of the brain is an instrumental diagnostic method that is carried out both in private and in public medical institutions. This is a widespread study. According to statistics, 8 out of 10 of all medical institutions have the necessary equipment.
In private clinics, it is enough to pre-register for the procedure. In this case, you can simply call in advance and select the most convenient time. In state clinics, it is necessary to pre-register a referral with a therapist or attending physician of a different specialization. As a rule, in budgetary institutions the procedure is carried out in the order of a "live" queue.
Cost
An X-ray of the brain is an affordable study. In private clinics, its cost is, on average, 1000 rubles. The minimum price of the method is 600 rubles. Regarding the availability of the service and its cost, you must find out directly in the registry of the selected medical institution. However, it is important to know that the price of an X-ray of the brain does not exceed 1,500 rubles.
You can do the research on a free basis. To do this, you must first contact the local therapist who will draw up the referral. To complete the procedure, it is enough to present a medical insurance policy.
Doctors reviews
An X-ray of the brain is a study that currently has no analogues. In some cases (when the degree of possible risk exceeds the benefit), doctors prescribe an MRI or ultrasound of the body. However, using magnetic resonance imaging it is impossible to assess the condition of the bone structures of the skull. In the process of ultrasound, ultrasound does not penetrate into all areas, due to which the overall picture becomes incomplete. According to reviews, doctors prescribe a study even in dangerous situations, if it is impossible to identify the disease by other methods and, accordingly, correctly draw up a treatment regimen.
Contrary to popular belief, an x-ray does not show concussion. Doctors explain this as follows. Concussion is a form of injury characterized by short-term brain contact with the skull. The result is a change in the chemical or physical properties of neurons. In addition, there is a temporary gap in the message between the synapses, which entails the development of functional disorders. In other words, there is a defeat of the substance of the brain and nerve fibers.
If the integrity of the bone structures is not broken, the disease will not be detected in the image. An x-ray is not needed to detect concussion. The pathological condition is detected on the basis of examination of the patient and his clinical manifestations. In severe cases, MRI can be prescribed.
Finally
An X-ray of the brain is an instrumental diagnostic method. With its help, it is possible to identify pathologies at an early stage of their development. The study is assigned to assess the condition of bone structures, as well as to detect neoplasms.
X-rays are a relatively safe procedure. In all cases, before it is carried out, the patient’s body is covered with lead aprons that do not transmit radiation. Precautions are enhanced if the baby needs an x-ray.