One of the key conditions for the effective treatment of various diseases is accurate diagnosis. X-ray studies can be safely designated as one of the common and reliable methods for determining a specific problem of the body.
What are x-ray studies
The basis of this type of research is the ability of X-rays to penetrate body tissues. Depending on the density, thickness and physico-chemical composition of human tissues and organs, the degree of absorption of x-rays can vary.
For this reason, organs and tissues that are denser (bones, large vessels, liver, heart) are displayed in the form of shadows on the screen, and, for example, lung tissue, due to the presence of a large volume of air, looks like an area of bright glow.
Preparation for the research process
X-ray studies are carried out with the aim of accurately diagnosing the patient's condition. And although, at first glance, there is nothing complicated in this process, some patients need to be prepared for it both physically and psychologically. Nurses, in turn, must possess the technology of preparing patients for instrumental research. Therefore, it is important for patients to pay attention to the fact that appropriate actions by medical personnel are carried out.
Preparation for an X-ray examination of a survey type involves the elimination and prevention of any processes in a particular organ that may interfere with obtaining accurate results. For example, in the diagnosis of kidneys, the goal of preparation is to cleanse the intestines and prevent gas formation in it. To do this, in the evening before the day of the study and in the morning the next day, the patient is given a cleansing enema and restrict fluid intake. Also, the patient immediately before the procedure of radiography is forbidden to consume food and liquids.
The patient’s radiography room is delivered an hour after the bowel is empty.
Intravenous urography - preparation
When preparing a patient for x-ray, implying intravenous urography, the goal is also to prevent gas formation and colon cleansing. As indications, diseases of the urinary system are determined. Contraindications include setting a cleansing enema and hypersensitivity to radiopaque substances that contain iodine.
In this case, substances such as urotrust and verographin are used. A few days before radiography, the following products that have a gas-forming effect are excluded from the diet: apples, brown bread, legumes, milk, etc. In case of flatulence, the doctor usually prescribes carbolene. You need to take this drug 4 times a day for 2-3 tablets.
In the evening and morning, the patient is given a cleansing enema, from the evening on the eve of the study, they limit the intake of fluids. When the patient is delivered with the medical history to the study room at the appointed time, the nurse administers the radiopaque substance intravenously.
When all of the above stages of preparation are completed, X-ray studies are carried out. Other preparatory measures, the purpose of which is to empty the stomach and prevent gas formation (cholecystography, gastrointestinal studies, etc.), have a similar algorithm of action.
Stomach studies
Since a large part of common diseases is related to the digestive system, x-ray examination of the stomach is more than relevant. This type of diagnosis can be defined as auxiliary, since it is used mainly for suspected gastritis. Translucency of the stomach makes it possible to accurately identify the presence of various anatomical pathologies and evaluate the epithelial relief for the presence of tumors, hernias, ulcers and polyps in it.
As a rule, an X-ray is prescribed in case of symptoms such as stool disorders, mild pains in the stomach and nausea, which worries on an ongoing basis. Preparation for an X-ray examination of the stomach is as follows: a 12-hour fast is carried out with a complete rejection of chewing gum and smoking, while the patient drinks a barium solution, sometimes a solution with iodine, with which you can get a contrast image of the walls of the stomach in the pictures.
If we are talking about a patient who has a suspicion of an ulcer, then in this case the so-called niche is the determining factor. This is nothing more than filling a defect caused by an ulcer, a contrast medium. X-ray examination of the stomach more accurately reveals the ulcer when it is located along the lesser curvature. But pyloric and prepyloric ulcers are much more difficult to identify. But the largest percentage of errors in the diagnostic process occurs when revealing ulcers of the subcardial part of the stomach. It is worth noting that in determining the evacuation ability of the stomach, an X-ray examination exceeds the accuracy of the endoscopic testimony.
Studies of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)
In this case, x-rays are used to assess the condition of the entire digestive system. X-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract is used to perform the following tasks:
- visualization of small morphological details (including gastric fields);
- study of the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract;
- documenting the information received regarding the detected changes, including the zones of wall rigidity.
In this case, the correct choice of the degree of compression, motor skills, optimal projection and degree of filling for aiming shots is extremely important. The fulfillment of the tasks described above is possible with additional use after transmission of serial targeted radiography, which has a high spatial resolution.
X-rays of light
The essence of this type of x-ray examination is to obtain an image of the chest organs. Due to the uneven density of the beam passing through them, it is possible to form a total picture of the state of the organs.
An X-ray examination of the lungs has the following indications for: various diseases of the bronchi, lungs and trachea. These can be tumors, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia and various occupational diseases. With this type of study, the doctor can get information about such organs as the heart, diaphragm, as well as about the thoracic spine and ribs.
X-ray examination of the chest, which is one of the most popular, is focused on survey images performed in two projections (front and side) in a standing position.
If necessary, a tomography of the lungs can be performed , allowing you to get several images that are taken at different depths of the thickness of the lung tissue. With the help of such images, the doctor will be able to study the pathological focus in more detail.
Unlike the situation with the stomach, x-ray studies are a key method for a qualitative diagnosis of the condition of the lungs, and in completely different areas of medicine (therapy, thoracic surgery, pulmonology and phthisiology).
Kidney research
The purpose of the x-ray in the case of the kidneys is to effectively assess their morphological and functional characteristics, as well as the urinary tract. Such data allow us to determine the size, position and shape of the organ, localization and the presence of calculi, as well as the state of the pyelocaliceal system.
An X-ray examination of the kidneys (subject to the use of contrast agents) is undesirable for patients who have a significant decrease in the function of this organ. To avoid the occurrence of any allergic reactions, it is necessary to find out whether such patients have undergone such studies before and whether there were any side effects after the administration of the drugs.
If negative manifestations were not observed, then the preparation of the patient for x-ray studies should include re-medication using steroid hormones and antihistamines. It is also necessary to conduct a test for the patient's sensitivity to various iodine-containing drugs.
Contrast radiography
When studying various methods of X-ray examination, this type of diagnosis, which is also called angiocardiography, also needs to be paid attention. Its purpose is to accurately determine the state of the chambers of the heart and its large vessels through special probes. This type of diagnosis, in principle, can be defined as surgical intervention. This process occurs in the operating room, which has special equipment and is located on the territory of cardiac surgery (due to the features of the procedure).
To carry out X-ray studies of this type, it is necessary to take samples for the tolerance of antiseptics and iodine-containing drugs. The study itself must be carried out on an empty stomach. Moreover, constant attention to the patient from the side of nurses is necessary, since the radiopaque substance introduced into the cavity of the heart can lead not only to early, but also to late complications.
It's important to know, that a contrast x-ray study can cause symptoms such as heart rhythm disturbance, shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure, pain in the heart, the appearance of weakness and a general worsening of the condition. In this case, you should immediately contact a nurse, who, in turn, must inform the doctor about such changes in the patient's condition.
Intestinal diagnostics
This part of the body, like others, also needs to accurately determine the negative changes in case of suspicion of the development of any disease. X-ray examination of the intestine is focused on determining the functional features and structure of both the large and small intestines. During the study, the patient takes a contrast suspension (100 g of water and 100 g of barium sulfate). After 2.5 hours, the suspension enters the cecum. It is by the speed of transition of the suspension into this gut (later or earlier than the indicated period) that it is possible to determine the presence of any violations of motor function.
In the case of the colon, x-rays are taken after the suspension fills the ascending region and the transverse colon. Such transillumination is able to identify the state of the relief, adhesions and narrowing in the diagnosed area.
Contrast radiography of the bronchi
The purpose of this study is to identify tumors in the bronchi, cavities in the lung tissue and the expansion of this organ. The diagnostic process is carried out using a contrast medium, which is introduced into the bronchial cavity.
Preparations for bronchography include premedication, carrying out a tolerance test for preparations containing iodine, cleansing the bronchial tree (if purulent sputum was detected), explaining to the patient the relevance and purpose of the upcoming study, the necessary changes in the diet on the eve of radiography.
Since certain complications may occur after the diagnostic procedure, special attention is paid to the patient at the end of the translucency.
Gallbladder examination
The purpose of this X-ray examination is to determine the shape of the gallbladder itself, its deformation, position, degree of emptying and the presence of stones in it. With such a diagnosis, a radiological substance is also used, the concentration of which reaches a maximum after 10-15 hours from the time of administration.
In the case of intravenous administration of contrast medium, the study should be called intravenous cholegraphy. This method is used in cases where it is necessary to contrast intrahepatic bile ducts.
X-ray studies of children
Initially, it is worth noting that several diagnostic procedures using x-rays are not dangerous for children.
X-ray examination in childhood is carried out in order to determine all vital indications. It is worth noting the fact that the potential risk of exposure to x-ray radiation is significantly lower than the possible threat, which will go unnoticed in the absence of a qualitative diagnosis.
X-ray examination system applicable for diagnosis of pregnant women and breastfeeding. With regard to possible harm, mothers who are breastfeeding have no reason to worry. In the case of women bearing a child, it is worth noting that the level of risk of examination using x-rays largely depends on the type of procedure and the duration of pregnancy.
conclusions
Based on the above information, it is easy to conclude that x-ray studies can help identify diseases that affect various organs and systems of the human body. For this reason, they can be considered one of the effective methods of modern diagnostics.