Chest x-ray is a fairly common diagnostic method. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a procedure to identify certain diseases with the appearance of characteristic symptoms. This survey is quite informative. How this procedure is carried out, as well as its features will be discussed later.
general description
Many people are wondering how fluorography differs from chest x-ray, what kind of procedure it is. During its conduct, a diagnosis of tissues, as well as internal organs in the examined area is carried out. For this, x-rays are used. The denser the fabric, the brighter they look in the picture. This allows you to examine the bones, chest organs, anatomical structures.
Today, the picture is processed using a computer. The image is displayed on the screen in digital format. No film is required for this. New technologies allow you to get high-quality images with a large extension. Distortions and scratches cannot appear on the image (as it sometimes happened when using a film).
New equipment sends less radiation to the body. Radiation load is reduced by 40% compared with old x-ray machines. The procedure can be carried out sighting or review. It depends on the purpose of the diagnosis.
So, what is the difference between fluorography and chest x- ray? These are almost identical procedures. Radiography is a more modern technique. It is highly accurate. In this case, radiation exposure in fluorography is greater. X-ray examination allows you to more thoroughly assess the condition of the internal organs of the chest.
Indications for the examination
A chest x-ray is prescribed for suspected various pathologies. For lung diseases, this procedure is performed to determine the condition of internal organs. Before giving directions for this diagnosis, the doctor examines the patient. If there is suspicion of the development of lung diseases, x-ray is a very informative technique.
To prescribe a referral, the doctor first becomes familiar with the symptoms that the patient has. The reason for the procedure is a cough, fever or fever. This is especially important if this condition persists for more than a week. Also a sign of lung disease is shortness of breath, cough with sputum production. When you listen to the chest, wheezing is heard. The patient may also have chest pain. An especially dangerous sign is hemoptysis.
Similar symptoms may indicate the development of lung disease. However, upon examination, the doctor can only make a preliminary diagnosis. It can only be checked with x-rays. After receiving the images, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis. Timely and proper treatment will avoid the development of serious complications.
What is a chest x-ray done for? This procedure will confirm or deny the presence of such lung diseases:
- bronchitis (acute, chronic);
- pneumonia;
- bronchial asthma;
- tuberculosis;
- emphysema;
- neoplasms (benign, malignant);
- pulmonary edema;
- respiratory failure;
- pneumothorax.
A similar procedure is recommended to be performed once a year. But under certain circumstances it is required to take unscheduled pictures.
Diseases of the cardiovascular and skeletal system
Having examined the description of the chest x-ray, we can conclude that a similar procedure is used to diagnose lung diseases, as well as other systems in this department of the body. These are pathologies of the cardiovascular system, as well as bone tissue. This is also a pretty informative approach.
In heart diseases , an x-ray can be prescribed as an additional diagnosis in combination with an ECG and auscultation. The procedure is prescribed when certain symptoms appear. This, for example, may be shortness of breath, fatigue, pain in the sternum. This diagnostic method is informative for such diseases:
- heart failure (chronic);
- hypertrophic, dilated cardiomyopathy;
- heart attack, as well as its consequences;
- heart disease (congenital, acquired);
- arterial thromboembolism;
- aortic aneurysm;
- other things.
A chest x-ray is always prescribed for injuries in this area. This allows you to diagnose a bruise, fracture of the ribs, spine, clavicle. In this case, bone fragments are visible, the presence of foreign bodies is determined.
With injuries to the chest, air can enter it. This condition is also diagnosed by radiography. This technique allows you to identify diseases of the spine, for example, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia. However, to clarify the diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography can be prescribed .
Contraindications
However, it is far from always possible to have a chest x-ray. Is it harmful to undergo such a procedure? The answer to this question depends on the general condition of the body, as well as the dose of radiation that a person receives. X-rays can be performed a limited number of times per year.
There are a number of contraindications to such a procedure. There are few of them, but in some cases it is better to refuse such an examination. In some conditions, radiation negatively affects the body's systems. The procedure is not carried out in the presence of open bleeding. With multiple fractures of the chest and spine, this diagnosis is also not used.
Also, a similar technique is contraindicated in the general serious condition of a person. During pregnancy, radiation is contraindicated. This can negatively affect the development of the fetus. Also, children under 15 years of age are prescribed this procedure only as a last resort.
The listed contraindications are quite relative. If the benefits of the procedure significantly exceed the harm, they are neglected. In some cases, it is better to use other diagnostic methods, such as MRI or ultrasound.
Is it possible to do x-rays for children?
A chest x-ray is done to a child only in the most extreme cases. For a growing organism, this is an unsafe procedure. It is relatively safe for a child to receive a radiation dose of up to 0.3 mSv per year. These are 1-2 similar procedures.
An x-ray of the chest of the child is performed using special protective equipment. A collar and an apron of material that does not transmit rays are put on it. This is a sheet of thick lead. It is better at such a young age to give preference to other diagnostic methods.
It is also worth noting that babies are usually afraid of such procedures. They scream, cry and cannot sit still. To take a picture, the little patient should not move. Sometimes this is almost impossible to achieve.
The procedure is unsafe for those cells of the body that are constantly developing, are in the stage of division. Therefore, for an adult male, the procedure will be safe. But for children and pregnant women, even a small dose of radiation can cause irreparable damage. Especially affected are cells of the endocrine glands, bone marrow.
How often do x-rays?
Normally, an x-ray of the chest is done once a year during a physical examination or in case of emergency, as directed by a doctor. Over a year, a person receives from the environment radiation of about 2.4 mSv. During the passage of the x-ray, the radiation dose will be significantly less.
Even on older equipment, this figure is no more than 0.4 mSv. New x-ray machines take a picture at an exposure level of 0.03-0.06 mSv. Chest x-ray exposure is negligible. However, it is worth considering that there are certain restrictions on the passage of this procedure. In a year, a person should not receive radiation exposure of more than 1 mSv.
In accordance with these data, it can be easily calculated that the presented type of X-ray can be performed about 15-20 times a year. However, in addition to such a procedure, a person may need to take an X-ray of other parts of the body. In this case, you need to consider what dose of radiation the body has already received this year.
Computed tomography is especially dangerous. During its implementation, a person receives a radiation dose of 5-7 mSv. Therefore, it can be done no more than once a year. However, other radiological procedures will need to be avoided. Otherwise, it can lead to serious consequences.
Preparation rules
Preparing for an x-ray of the chest involves performing simple steps. You will need to remove all metal objects, jewelry from the neck. It is also better to remove watches and earrings from your hand. During the procedure, all electronic devices will need to be left out of the equipment.
Special preparation for the examination is not required. You do not need to follow a diet. The patient can eat and drink immediately before the procedure. The main thing is not to move in the process of creating a picture. Otherwise, the image will be blurred.
Doctors do not recommend smoking immediately before the procedure. Of course, if pathological changes in the body are already there, an extra cigarette will not change the situation. However, it is better to give up smoking for several hours before the procedure. This bad habit leads to a narrowing of the vessels that pierce the lung tissue. As a result, their structure may change. This will be seen in the picture.
Changing the pulmonary pattern will be regarded as a pathology. Therefore, to ensure the accuracy of the result, you should try to avoid smoking before radiography. Otherwise, the result will be distorted. Sometimes it even makes it difficult to make a correct diagnosis.
Where to get tested?
There are several recommendations where to get a chest x-ray. It is better to choose a clinic in which modern equipment is installed. In this case, the radiation dose will be minimal. In such institutions, the room in which the study is conducted should be quite spacious. Its area should be at least 50 m².
The room may contain several different devices of different capacities. All surfaces of the room must be protected with special material. The radiologist’s office is in a separate compartment. There may be a special glass that does not transmit rays. There is computer equipment in this room.
In Moscow, many clinics carry out a similar procedure. Patients usually go to paid medical facilities. The cost of this procedure is from 1350 rubles. The price may depend on the pricing policy of the clinic. One of the most popular institutions in the capital, where you can perform a similar procedure, is the "SM-Clinic."
However, in all paid medical institutions of regional centers and large cities, modern equipment is installed. This allows everyone to undergo a full examination.
The procedure in some cases can be performed at home. For this, mobile equipment is used. The quality of the images is not different. This service is possible for people who cannot be upright during the picture. In this case, the team leaves the house or performs the procedure in the ward.
During professional examinations, in order to save time for the annual examination, the company's management can also order a visiting X-ray apparatus. This service is charged at the cost of a medical institution.
How is the examination carried out?
Chest x-ray can be carried out on equipment of different designs. In most cases, it assumes that the patient is in an upright position.
Before the procedure, the patient must remove clothing to the waist and all metal objects. Then he stands on a special platform in front of the shield. You need to snuggle up to him. The tube that will generate x-rays in this position is at a distance of 2 m from the patient.
When the doctor gives a signal, they draw a lot of air into the lungs. In this position, you need to freeze for a few seconds. A picture can be taken in two projections (straight and side). This will take only a few seconds. This is a completely painless procedure. Description and decryption can be completed in a few minutes. In some clinics, this process may take several days.
Interpretation of the result
What does a chest x-ray show? After receiving the pictures, the doctor makes a brief description and gives a conclusion. In this case, the location of the heart, its size and parenchyma are indicated. The following describes the condition of other organs of the chest. The doctor describes the condition of the lungs, bronchi, lymph nodes and blood vessels.
If there are foreign bodies or neoplasms in the studied area, the radiologist must indicate this in the report. In some cases, a chest x-ray is prescribed for this. What the picture shows, can only be determined by a qualified specialist.
The doctor also evaluates the quality of the image. This allows us to conclude about possible inaccuracies in the image.
In the presence of certain pathologies, this will be immediately noticeable in the picture. For example, pneumonia is manifested by the presence of a large number of additional tissues. With venous stasis, which is determined in the small circle, a special basal form will be present in the image. It is somewhat reminiscent of the wings of a butterfly. Uneven blackouts, similar to flakes, indicate pulmonary edema.
Invalid result
A false positive chest x-ray may appear on film images. New equipment almost always shows an accurate result. In some cases, structures that are not actually found in the lungs are visible in the images. This is possible due to the overlapping shadows of other organs during pathological fractures, vascular deformities, etc. Sometimes, because of this, the result can be falsely negative. However, this happens extremely rarely.
Having examined the features of chest x-ray, you can get a general idea about this procedure. Modern equipment allows you to get an accurate result.