In general, everyone knows what fluorography is. This diagnostic method, which allows you to get an image of organs and tissues, was developed at the end of the 20th century, a year after X-rays were detected . In the pictures you can see sclerosis, fibrosis, foreign objects, neoplasms, which have a developed degree, the presence in the cavities of gases and infiltrate, abscesses, cysts and so on. What is fluorography? What is the procedure? How often and at what age can it be done? Are there any contraindications to the diagnosis? Read about it in the article.
Features of the application of the technique
Most often, chest x-ray is performed to detect tuberculosis, a malignant tumor in the lungs or chest and other pathologies. The technique is also used to examine the heart and bones. Without fail, such a diagnosis should be carried out if the patient complains of persistent cough, shortness of breath, lethargy.
As a rule, children learn about what fluorography is only at the age of fifteen. It is from this age that a survey is allowed for preventive purposes. For young children, an x-ray or ultrasound is used (if there is such a need), and only in the most extreme cases fluorography is prescribed.
How often are diagnostics allowed?
This question excites many. For prevention, for the detection of tuberculosis, you need to be examined at least once every two years. People who have special indications should resort to this diagnostic method more often. For example, for those who have had cases of tuberculosis in their family or workforce, fluorography is prescribed every six months. Workers of maternity hospitals, tuberculosis hospitals, dispensaries, and sanatoriums are examined at the same frequency. Also, every six months, diagnostics are carried out for people with severe pathologies of a chronic course, such as diabetes, bronchial asthma, stomach ulcers, HIV, and so on, as well as for those who were serving time in prison. Conscripts and those diagnosed with tuberculosis undergo fluorography regardless of how much time has passed since the previous examination.
Contraindications
This type of diagnosis, as mentioned above, is not applicable to children under the age of fifteen. Also, fluorography is not done during pregnancy, except in cases of emergency. But even if there are special indications, an examination can be carried out only if the gestational age exceeds 25 weeks. At this time, all the fetal systems are already in place, and the procedure will not harm him. Exposure to radiation at an earlier date is fraught with disturbances and mutations, since fetal cells actively divide during this period.
At the same time, some doctors believe that in conditions of modern technology for pregnant women is not so dangerous fluorography. No harm is inflicted to the fetus, since the dose of radiation is extremely small. Lead boxes are built into the devices to protect all organs located above and below the chest level. Nevertheless, it is worth refusing to carry out the procedure while carrying the child. But nursing mothers have nothing to worry about. The diagnostic method does not affect the quality of breast milk, therefore, for them, the examination is completely safe. However, of course, fluorography should be done during the lactation period only if there are good reasons.
Procedure
No training required. The patient enters the office, strips to the waist and stands in the cabin of the device, slightly similar to the elevator. The specialist fixes the person in the required position, presses his chest against the screen and asks for a few seconds to hold his breath. One click on the button, and you're done! The procedure is extremely simple, it is not so easy to do something, especially since all your actions are controlled by medical personnel.
Survey results
If the density of tissues in the examined organs is changed, this will be noticeable in the resulting image. Often through fluorography, the appearance of connective fibers in the lungs is detected. They can be in different areas of the organs and have a different look. Depending on this, the fibers are classified into scars, cords, fibrosis, adhesions, sclerosis, radiation. Cancerous tumors, abscesses, calcifications, cysts, emphysema symptoms, infiltrates are also clearly visible in the pictures. However, the disease is not always possible to identify using this diagnostic method. For example, pneumonia will be noticeable only when it acquires a fairly developed form.
A fluorography picture does not appear immediately, it takes some time, so the results of the examination can be obtained only after a day. If no pathologies are found, the patient is given a certificate certified by a seal, indicating this. Otherwise, a number of additional diagnostic measures are prescribed.
X-ray or fluorography
The technique under consideration was invented as a more mobile and cheaper analog of X-ray. The film used for photographs is quite expensive, and it requires much less to perform fluorography, as a result, the examination is cheaper by more than ten times. For the manifestation of x-rays , special devices or bathtubs are needed, and each image needs individual processing. And fluorography allows you to develop the film directly in rolls. But the irradiation with this method is two times more, because the roll film is less sensitive. X-rays are used in both cases, and even the apparatuses through which the examination is carried out have a similar appearance.
And what is more informative for the doctor: x-ray or fluorography? The answer is unequivocal - x-ray. With this diagnostic method, the image of the organ itself is scanned, and with fluorography, the shadow reflected from the fluorescent screen is taken, so the picture is smaller and not so clear.
Disadvantages of the method
- A significant dose of radiation. During the session, some devices give a radiation load of 0.8 m3v, while with an X-ray the patient receives only 0.26 m3v.
- Insufficient information content of the pictures. Practicing radiologists suggest that approximately 15% of the images go into marriage after processing the roll film.
These problems can be solved by introducing a new technique. We will tell you more about it.
Digital technology
Nowadays, film technology is still used everywhere, however, an advanced method has already been developed and in some places has several advantages. Digital fluorography allows you to get the most accurate images, while the patient is exposed to less radiation. Among the pluses can also include the ability to transfer and store information on digital media, the lack of expensive materials, the ability of devices to “service” a larger number of patients per unit of time.
Digital fluorography is approximately 15% more effective than film fluorography (according to some data), at the same time, during the procedure, the radiological load is five times less than with the film version. Due to this, diagnostics by means of digital fluorograms are allowed even for children. Today, there are already devices equipped with a silicon linear detector, emitting an amount of radiation comparable to what we get in one day in ordinary life.
Is fluorography really harmful?
The body is indeed exposed to radiation during the procedure. But is it so strong as to negatively affect health? In fact, fluorography is not so dangerous. Her harm is greatly exaggerated. The device gives out a dose of radiation clearly verified by scientists that is not capable of causing any serious disturbances in the body. Few people know, but, for example, during a flight in an airplane we get a much greater radiation exposure. And the longer the flight, the higher the air corridor, respectively, the more harmful radiation penetrates the body of passengers. What can I say, because even watching TV is associated with radiation exposure. Not to mention computers that our children spend so much time on. Think about it!
Finally
From the article you learned about what fluorography is, as well as about all the subtleties of the procedure. Do it or not, decide for yourself. By law, no one can force you to undergo an examination without good reason. On the other hand, to make sure that everything is in order with health, never hurts. The choice is yours!