X-ray of the skull is one of the available and informative diagnostic methods. With it, you can check the status of internal structures and bone elements. The value of the study is the ability to diagnose the condition of the patient after a head injury, to detect the tumor process, the presence of pathological fluids.
X-ray of the head what shows?
Craniography allows the doctor to detect the following points:
- the presence of fractures of the skull bones, their nature, the development of complications;
- pathology of a congenital nature and birth injury;
- primary tumor and the presence of metastases;
- inflammatory processes of the sinuses;
- the presence of cystic formations;
- curvature of the nasal septum;
- secondary changes in the bones of the skull;
- the presence of pathological fluid in certain areas.
X-ray of the head allows you to get diagnostic field data on a film, monitor screen. If necessary, they are stored in the memory of the x-ray apparatus.
Survey and targeted scanning
During a survey radiography, the state of the brain as a whole is evaluated. Targeted craniography allows you to verify the condition of a certain part of the head, to clarify its functionality in dynamics through several shots taken in a row.
An aim x-ray of the head is performed to detect fractures in such bone elements:
- zygomatic bones ;
- lower jaw;
- bone pyramid of the nose;
- sphenoid bone;
- eye sockets;
- temporomandibular joints;
- mastoid processes of the temporal bones.
Sighting shots allow you to see:
- the presence of calcifications, which caused the development of pathology of the cranial bones;
- the presence of calcification of parts of the tumor;
- hemorrhages and hematomas;
- consequences of increased intracranial pressure;
- pathological fluid in the sinuses;
- consequences of acromegaly (increase or expansion of bone elements);
- osteodystrophy with deformation;
- the presence of foreign bodies and inflammatory processes.
When appointed
X-ray of the skull is done on the basis of patient complaints or those changes in the patient's condition that were noticed by the doctor himself during the examination. You need to be prepared if the specialist sends for craniography in case of complaints of trembling in the extremities, cephalgia, darkness or a veil in front of the eyes, nosebleeds, soreness during chewing, decreased vision or hearing.
Indications can also be mechanical damage to the head, asymmetry of facial bones, fainting, suspected malignant tumors, pathologies of the endocrine apparatus and congenital malformations.
Pregnant women and women during lactation do not have x-rays of the skull bones. The following specialists can send for the procedure:
- traumatologist;
- neurologist;
- oculist;
- surgeon;
- endocrinologist;
- oncologist.
Technique
This examination method does not require special preparation. There is no restriction (in drinking, food, medicine) before the procedure. Before the subject takes place in the installation for x-ray diagnostics, he needs to remove metal things, dentures (if possible), glasses. Further, depending on the studied area, the patient lays on the couch, sits or stands.
A lead apron is put on the subject so that the body below the head does not receive excess radiation. The head is attached using special clamps so that the examination area remains motionless for the entire period of diagnosis. Sometimes fasteners or dressings are used, sometimes ordinary sandbags.
If necessary, the radiologist can take not one but several pictures. In addition, the position of the body can be changed to perform an x-ray of the skull in several projections.
Deciphering the results
The speed of obtaining results and the clarity of the image on them depends on the modernity of the used x-ray apparatus. In exceptional cases, the answer can be given to the subject immediately after the procedure, but in most cases it is necessary to wait until half an hour. In state medical institutions, the interpretation of the results can last up to several days.
The decryption of the image contains data on the shape of the cranial bones, their condition, size, correct anatomy, the contents of the paranasal sinuses, the condition of the cranial sutures, and the bones of the nose pyramid.
X-ray of the skull in 2 projections what shows? For more informative results, the radiologist conducts the study in several projections (usually in the anterior and lateral). This allows you to more accurately determine the size of pathological formations, their localization, bone condition, the presence of displacement.
How dangerous is the study?
X-ray of the skull is accompanied by a low exposure to the patient's body (approximately 0.12 mSv). This indicator is less than 5% of the dose that is allowed to be received by a person per year. For comparison, we can say that a person receives the same amount of radiation while relaxing in the sun on the beach in one hour.
However, an X-ray of the head (as shown by this method, described above) is not recommended more than 7 times a year.
X-ray diagnostics is carried out solely according to indications and its purpose is to determine the presence of a deadly disease. That is why there are cases of greater radiation from the patient than indicated in the medical literature. For example, a skull fracture is considered an emergency. With his suspicion, diagnostics are carried out even during pregnancy. Women carefully cover their chest and stomach with a lead apron.
Features of child craniography
X-ray of a child’s skull is a procedure that requires a more thorough approach. In most cases, the specialist prefers ultrasound. X-ray diagnostics are used with extreme measures, since the bone elements of the brain are still at the stage of their growth and formation, and excess radiation can lead to negative consequences.
Frequent indications are head trauma, including birth trauma, and a skull fracture. The procedure is similar to an adult examination. The only problem is the need to be in the same position during manipulation, which is very difficult for children. It may require the presence of parents or the use of sedative, sleeping pills before diagnosis.
Head injury
One of the indications for craniography. Injuries can be scalped, ragged, cut, chopped, blunt in nature, depending on how they occur. The main reasons are:
- accidents, catastrophes, household damage;
- a fall;
- the use of physical violence.
If only soft tissue damage has occurred, this condition is called a head injury. If the functionality of the internal structures is impaired, it is a question of head injury.
The victim feels pain at the site of the injury and there are no more manifestations - this condition does not require the help of doctors. Cold is applied to the site of damage. If bleeding occurs, nausea and vomiting, neck pain, dizziness, hospitalization and specialist assistance is needed.
An emergency condition requiring urgent care and calling the medical team to the injury site may be accompanied by the following manifestations:
- blood or clear fluid flowing from the nose or ears;
- hyperthermia;
- convulsive seizures;
- impaired consciousness;
- the impossibility of fixing the gaze on a particular subject;
- lack of ability to move independently;
- speech impairment;
- deformation of the pupils, the difference in their diameter;
- loss of consciousness;
- feeling of lack of air.
Help and treatment
Awareness of what to do in case of a head injury can save the life of not only someone from outsiders, but also close relatives. First of all, it is necessary to provide the victim with peace before the arrival of the ambulance crew. The person should be laid on a bed with a slightly raised head end, if possible in a dark room. Be sure to have someone nearby.
If vomiting is present, do not allow the patient to get up, but turn his head on his side and substitute a container for vomit. In the case of convulsive attacks, the person is turned on his side with his whole body, a solid, but not metallic object is pushed between the teeth, so that the tongue does not sink.
A bandage should be applied to the wound, pressed down with your hand if there is bleeding. If a fracture is suspected, pressure on the skull is not necessary. In parallel, you need to monitor the presence of pulse and breathing. If there are no signs of life, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
It is not necessary to give any medication, even painkillers, to the victim before the ambulance arrives, as this can hide the true picture of the condition. It is necessary to clarify the state of a person’s memory by asking him several questions about his name, relatives, the place where he is at the moment. Apply cold to the bruise.
Even having good knowledge of the possibility of providing first aid, you need to be calm and reasonable in order to leave panic aside and soberly assess the situation. And the best option, if possible, is to prevent injury, than then restore the health of the victim.