The effectiveness of treatment depends entirely on the accuracy of the diagnosis. Often there are so-called “medical errors” when a person begins to be treated for a completely different disease, causing irreparable harm to his body. Incorrectly prescribed therapy leads to a chronic course of the disease or even death. More recently, spiral computed tomography has begun to be used in medicine, making it possible to make an accurate diagnosis.
The essence of the technique
What is such a computed tomography? This is a high-tech method characterized by numerous advantages and unique precision. In this case, the doctor gets the result much faster than with standard procedures.
How is spiral computed tomography performed ? During it, the table on which the patient should lie, begins to move smoothly and slowly. Around it, an X-ray tube with detectors located on its surface begins to rotate in the same way.
The device is able to recognize neoplasms of a very small size, up to 1 mm. This allows you to timely identify and cure cancer. Scanning of one anatomical area is carried out within 5 minutes, and the laser camera carries out wide-format images.
A striking effect is achieved on 64-slice modern high-speed tomographs - with a low level of exposure, two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of excellent quality are obtained.
Indications
Spiral tomography is necessary in the following cases:
- brain examination, as a result of which the doctor can detect areas of a stroke and injured blood vessels;
- identification of inflammatory processes in the paranasal sinuses;
- establishing the cause of the formation of lymph nodes on the neck;
- confirmation of the diagnosis before surgery on the abdominal cavity;
- detection of changes in the lungs;
- diagnosis of intervertebral hernia.
Benefits
Spiral computed tomography has certain advantages over conventional research methods:
- Scanning (collection of information) is very fast. For a short period of time, an image of a certain anatomical region is formed, while the quality of the images is very high.
- 3D spatial images are more accurate, and three-dimensional models show the specific location of the pathology. Using spiral scanning techniques allows you to examine arteries, identify vascular aneurysms, their length, narrowing.
- Non-invasiveness compared with myelography, ventriculography.
- The artifacts from the bloodstream are not visible in the pictures.
- Compared to conventional tomography, patient exposure to x-rays is reduced.
How is the procedure performed?
4 hours before the tomography is performed, you can not drink and eat. Sometimes the patient needs to drink a contrast agent before examining specific organs.
To make a spiral computed tomography, the patient must lie on a table that is movable, so he rolls into a special tunnel. To make it easier for the researcher, the table is equipped with special straps and pillows. This helps to limit its movement during the examination, so that the pictures are not blurry and clear.
For those patients who, for certain reasons, cannot lie still for a long time and hold their breath for a short time, sedatives are given.
In another room there is a computer station, behind which a doctor-technologist works, using a screen to control the scanner and giving the patient appropriate instructions.
Spiral computed tomography is considered quite safe. Although the patient receives a small amount of x-ray exposure during the examination, it is so small that it does no harm to the body.
Contraindications
There is a certain risk of an allergic reaction when the patient is injected with a contrast agent or sedative.
If the patient suffers from asthma, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, diseases of the thyroid gland or heart, then he must inform the doctor about it.
Such a procedure is contraindicated in pregnant women. If it is carried out in case of emergency, then the stomach is covered with a lead screen. Examination is also prohibited for those patients who have pacemakers, ferromagnetic implants, as well as those weighing more than 130 kg.
Abdominal examination
Spiral computed tomography of the abdominal cavity allows you to see a clear multilayer image of organs such as the spleen, liver, pancreas and others. It is carried out if the patient complains of pain in the pelvic area, abdomen, as well as with some diseases of the large and small intestines.
In addition, the procedure is necessary for the diagnosis of:
- appendicitis, diverticulitis, pyelonephritis, stones in the bladder and kidneys;
- cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, internal bleeding, polyps and inflammatory processes in the intestine;
- cancers of the abdominal cavity;
- diseases of the lymph nodes and blood vessels.
Spiral computed tomography of the abdominal organs is performed with the mandatory use of a contrast medium.
Lung examination
This procedure is necessary to detect lung cancer and metastases. Spiral computed tomography of the lungs is prescribed if there are all signs of a malignant tumor of these organs, and the x-ray could not give accurate information about it. In addition, the examination is prescribed for tuberculosis, lung abscess, parasitic lung cysts, sarcoidosis, pneumonia.
Before the procedure, the patient is injected into the vein a contrast agent containing iodine. If you are allergic to this remedy, you should inform your doctor.
Brain examination
Spiral computed tomography of the brain is widely used to diagnose severe and very severe head injuries, with high intracranial pressure, and a change in blood circulation. The device is able to detect pathological conditions (neoplasms, abscesses, cavities) that are not visible on a conventional tomograph. Using this procedure increases the likelihood of detecting and preventing strokes and heart attacks.
In addition, spiral tomography is necessary in the following cases:
- to establish the causes of headaches, sudden paralysis, periodic clouding of consciousness, various visual disturbances, in case of violation of the sensitivity of certain areas of the body;
- if there is a suspicion of a brain tumor, rupture of an aortic aneurysm, intracranial bleeding;
- to establish impaired function of the inner ear in case of hearing loss;
- if you need to develop a plan for the upcoming operation or evaluate the success of the operation on the brain;
- to identify damaged areas of the brain.
Sometimes a brain examination requires the use of a contrast agent, which greatly facilitates the identification of cysts, atherosclerotic plaques, tumors, metastases, blood clots.
Chest examination
Spiral computed tomography of the chest cavity is performed to detect tuberculous foci, bronchopleural fistulas and bronchiectasis. This procedure allows you to very accurately determine the location of the tumor, rupture or stratification of the walls of blood vessels, to identify an increase in lymph nodes.
Such an examination is successfully used in oncological surgery, making it possible to study the condition of a cancerous tumor, to determine its borders and sizes. In some cases, helical tomography is prescribed to detect foreign bodies, to urgently establish the causes of shortness of breath or with difficulty swallowing.
Conclusion
Thus, spiral computed tomography is a modern method of examining various organs, which allows you to very accurately establish the correct diagnosis. The radiation doses in such a study are so insignificant that they do no harm to a person, so do not be afraid of such a procedure.