It is not always possible to make a diagnosis based on patient complaints alone, especially if problems are observed on the part of the nervous system. To study its condition allows computed tomography (tomogram) of the head. This is one of the modern methods of medical diagnosis, which is suitable for patients of different age categories.
Description of procedure
Computed tomography is a method of studying the condition and structure of internal organs using x-ray radiation. The tomograph allows you to get a high quality image that is processed by a computer. The method is based on x-ray (layer-by-layer) technology of images and registration of rays by ultra-sensitive detectors (to reduce the radiation dose), as well as processing and analysis of the obtained image using computer programs.
A CT scan of the head gives a complete picture of the state of the brain, soft tissues, and adjacent bone structures. This diagnostic method is used to identify pathologies and monitor their treatment. A more complex and accurate method is magnetic resonance imaging, which allows you to diagnose any violation in the functioning of the nervous system.
Indications for the appointment of CT head
Until recently, the main "tool" for diagnosing the state of the nervous system was a special hammer with which the neuropathologist tested the sensitivity. Experts did not have the opportunity to look at the essence of the problem. Currently, computed tomography allows the examination of areas of the brain. Although doctors do not forget about old devices.
A brain tomography can be prescribed for certain symptoms and complaints of the patient. The main indications for the diagnosis are the following pathological conditions:
- causeless headaches;
- suspicions of oncology;
- skull injuries;
- periodic increase in intracranial pressure;
- encephalitis, meningitis;
- cerebral hemorrhage (stroke);
- a history of central nervous system;
- the presence of foreign bodies.
The direction for the diagnosis can be given by a neurosurgeon, neuropathologist, otolaryngologist. The specialist also tells the patient where to make a tomogram of the head. Modern equipment is currently equipped with many private medical centers and hospitals.
What does the tomogram of the head show?
During the study, x-rays pass through the tissue of the examined area. Sensors located inside the device detect the changed rays, and the computer begins to process the received information and converts it into images. The resulting black and white picture can reveal injuries, tumors, hemorrhages, determine their location and size.
A tomogram of the head allows you to assess the state of gray and
white matter, ventricles of the brain, bones of the facial and brain sections, blood vessels, veins, arteries, sinuses.
Using a tomograph, the following pathologies are diagnosed in patients:
- thrombosis;
- aneurysm;
- hemorrhagic, ischemic stroke;
- cysts;
- infectious processes;
- congenital malformations;
- skull injuries;
- osteomyelitis;
- tumor lesions.
How to make a tomography of the head?
Do not be afraid of the procedure - it is completely painless. The scanning installation is a cylindrical tube, which is surrounded by magnets. The patient is located on a special mobile table (couch), which "goes" inside the scanner tunnel when it is activated. The specialist conducting the study should be in the next room and monitor the diagnostic process, the patient's condition.
In the process of diagnosis around the table on which the patient is located, the unit rotates. In operation, the device may make noise. It’s important to stay calm and not move in order to get an accurate picture. If necessary, a specialist can fix the patient’s head with special straps for the duration of the scan.
When is it forbidden to do a CT scan?
In contrast to magnetic resonance imaging, CT has a number of limitations. Do not carry out the procedure for patients weighing more than 150 kg. Modern tomography equipment is not designed to examine such patients. An alternative method in this case is MRI.
If the patient suffers from a fear of confined space, a head tomogram can be performed only under general anesthesia. If there is a history of serious mental deviations, the procedure is not performed.
It is contraindicated to prescribe tomography to pregnant women. During lactation, a CT scan can be performed, but during the next day, you should refuse to feed the baby and express milk.
Is it possible to carry out the procedure for children?
Tomography for small patients is possible, but only in cases of special need. For a child's body, x-rays are dangerous. Therefore, computed tomography is often replaced by magnetic resonance imaging, which uses electromagnetic radiation. In the first year of the baby’s life, when the fontanel is still open, a diagnostic method such as neurosonography allows you to explore the state of the brain.
A head tomogram can be assigned to babies in the following cases:
- diagnosis of birth injuries;
- increased intracranial pressure;
- hydrocephalus;
- vascular abnormalities, cysts;
- suspicions of oncology;
- psychical deviations;
- injuries, bruises, skull fractures.
How to prepare a child?
It is far from always possible to make a tomogram of a child’s head without the use of anesthesia or sedatives because of age-related features. It is difficult for children to remain motionless during the scanning process with a tomograph. In addition, the child may be frightened by the sounds that a working device makes. That is why the procedure is carried out under general anesthesia. The condition of the child will be monitored by an anesthetist and doctor.
Anesthesia is done only on an empty stomach and therefore the child should have the last meal no later than 4 hours before the procedure. The baby can be fed in 2-3 hours. In some cases, experts recommend that you first make the child an electrocardiogram. If you need the introduction of a contrast agent, you should check in advance the sensitivity of the baby to the drug.
Adult training
This diagnostic method does not require special preparation. Immediately before the procedure, the patient must remove metal objects, jewelry. A specialist should be warned about the presence of metal implants. Do not undergo the procedure on a full stomach.
If the patient is shown to conduct a tomogram of the brain using a contrast medium, it is necessary to exclude food intake 4-5 hours before the scan. Otherwise, nausea, vomiting, dizziness may occur. If necessary, the patient may take a sedative before the procedure.
Applying contrast
If necessary, tomography can be performed using a special contrast agent. This allows you to visualize the most complex areas inaccessible to conventional x-ray radiation. Who is shown the procedure and how to make a tomogram of the head with contrast? First of all, such a diagnostic method is necessary for patients who need to check the condition of the vessels. The coloring matter allows you to detect a new focus of ischemia and cancer.
Within a day after the procedure, the contrast medium will be excreted from the body. During this period, it is important to drink plenty of fluids. To avoid negative consequences, it is recommended that you first go through laboratory diagnostics and exclude allergies to contrast.
Contraindications
The use of a contrast medium is prohibited for patients whose age is less than 14 years, as well as for pregnant women. Contraindications include renal failure, the presence of allergic reactions to iodine, thyroid pathology, and leukemia.
Only after the exclusion of all contraindications can a CT scan of the head be performed. It should be borne in mind that the method is considered one of the most informative, and therefore doctors refuse to recommend a diagnosis without good reason. The procedure helps in the early stages to identify the ailment and begin its timely treatment.
Head tomogram: description of the results
It may take some time for a specialist to decipher the results. Usually, pictures are given to the patient 30-60 minutes after the diagnosis, but in some cases it takes longer to wait. The patient receives black and white photographs, a recording disc and a description of the tomography data in his hands.
With the answer received, you should consult a doctor who gave a direction for the passage of a tomogram of the head. In the future, you may need to consult other specialists.
Cost and reviews
According to experts, a tomogram of the head does not bring tangible harm to the human body if the examination is carried out on new equipment. The average dose in one session is 6 m3v. To study the condition of the skull and brain, radiation does not exceed 2 m3v.
Patients are advised to give preference to multislice tomographs, which in a short period of time (several seconds) perform a large number of slices and carry the lowest radiation load. The cost of the procedure usually depends on the equipment and ranges from 3,000-5,000 rubles. If you need to use a contrast agent, the price of the procedure will increase to 7,000-12,000 rubles.
Many patients begin to worry after learning that they have been assigned with a CT scan of the head. Reviews of the procedure confirm their concerns, and patients begin to refuse to undergo an examination. In fact, this only exacerbates the situation. Timely diagnosis allows you to detect the slightest disturbances in the work of the nervous system in time and start therapy. Do not worry about radiation, because the dose will be minimal and will not cause harm to health.