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One of the most informative ways to diagnose diseases of the respiratory system is computed tomography (CT). The images obtained as a result of the study are very accurate, they reflect even the smallest changes in the structure of the lungs, blood vessels, bronchi, trachea and other organs.
Features of CT of the bronchi and lungs: types of diagnostics
Very often, computed tomography is prescribed instead of conventional x-rays, since it is more informative and less harmful, since a person receives less exposure to ionizing radiation. There are three main types of chest tomography: conventional, spiral or multislice and with the addition of a contrast agent.
Conventional computed tomography is performed using a tomograph that scans a specific organ in its sections. Further, the received information is processed and analyzed by a computer. This procedure is carried out in 2 modes: pulmonary (examines the bronchi, blood vessels, pathological neoplasms in the lungs) and in the mode of scanning other organs of the respiratory system (for example, the heart and blood vessels).
Spiral CT is done very quickly, but, nevertheless, quite accurate results are obtained. Special sensors move in a spiral that rotates around the table and scan the chest organs. When performing multislice CT, the slice thickness will be less than 1 millimeter, so the doctor will be able to discern the pathology, including smaller tumors, on three-dimensional images.
Diagnostics with a contrast iodine-containing substance allows you to qualitatively visualize the structure of the vascular system in the chest. Thanks to the coloring substance, the pictures are clear and informative. This method is most often used to examine the veins and arteries.
Although X-ray radiation on the human body is minimal, CT of the bronchi and lungs should be performed only as directed by the attending doctor. It is not advisable to carry out the procedure more than 2 times a year.
CT indications and contraindications
The tomograph is used to study infections in the lungs and bronchi, in particular, with bronchitis, suspected pneumonia and tuberculosis. During the procedure, the condition of the heart, trachea, aorta, lymph nodes, pulmonary artery, superior vena cava, thymus, diaphragm, and partially the digestive system is assessed.
If there are suspicions of pathologies of these organs, it is advisable to use computed tomography. In the pulmonary mode, it is possible to examine the tissues of the lungs through and through, to find out the condition of the lobar, segmental and main bronchi, to assess the condition of the intersegmental septa and the structure of the vessels.
Diseases in which it is recommended to diagnose with a tomograph: heart disease, emphysema, aortic dissection, bronchiectasis, obstructive, acute and chronic bronchitis, mediastinal and lung tumors, pericarditis, rib fractures, foreign bodies, thrombosis, atherosclerosis of the pulmonary arteries, ischemia.
Contraindications include: pregnancy, lactation (computer diagnostics can be performed if the child is weaned for 1-2 days), children under 7 years of age (children from 3 to 10 years old are examined if serious diseases are suspected), body weight over 170 kilograms, frequent epileptic attacks, claustrophobia, inability to take a horizontal position and hold your breath.
CT with the use of a contrast agent is prohibited if the patient has an allergic reaction to an iodine-containing substance, with thyrotoxicosis (a hormonal failure that causes an increase in thyroid function, making it difficult for the body to withstand an excessive load), and other thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus, tumors, severe degree of heart and kidney failure.
The study should be rescheduled if a diagnosis using barium and bismuth was recently performed. These substances can adversely affect the interpretation of pictures.
Procedure
According to the images obtained, it is possible to determine: a benign or malignant tumor, foci of tuberculosis, fistulas and abscesses. With the help of tomography, you can reflect the size, stage, see metastases and the prevalence of cancer. Patients with enlarged lymph nodes, chest pains are referred for computed tomography. Over the past few years, CT scans have helped to detect lung carcinoma in the early stages of the disease and treat patients.
Examination with a tomograph:
- painless;
- does not bring discomfort;
- relatively safe for human health;
- efficient.
The examination takes a minimum amount of time – from 1 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of CT scan. If the patient cannot move or stay in the same place for a long time, multislice tomography is recommended. Its duration varies from 5 to 10 minutes.
The examination does not require special preparation. It is advisable to come to the study completely on an empty stomach, a break with a meal of at least 4-5 hours. It is necessary to put on loose clothing so that you can quickly remove it later. If the patient is claustrophobic or has a nervous system disorder, CT scans may be done under anesthesia.
Stages of passage of computed tomography: the first – the patient must remove all metal jewelry, a belt and undress to the waist; the second – the patient lies down on a special couch; the third – a contrast agent is injected (if necessary); fourth – the couch moves and stops under the arch of the apparatus; fifth – the specialist checks the equipment and leaves the room, he watches the person from another room; sixth – you can’t move so that the data is as reliable as possible; seventh – when the procedure has come to an end, the patient can get up and dress, then he waits for the decoding that the doctor does.
If a person is very afraid of the procedure, he can be given a “pear” that the patient will hold in his hand, and at the first discomfort or pain, he presses on it, thereby informing the specialist that something went wrong during the diagnosis.
Decoding and research results
After the images are taken, the radiologist examines them. He primarily draws his attention to: the presence or absence of tumors and granulomas; the presence of pathologies and, if any, their size; nature of blood circulation; density of the organs of the respiratory system.
An accurate diagnosis is made by the attending physician, who referred the patient for a CT scan. This may be a phthisiatrician, pulmonologist or therapist.
The advantages of this method of studying the lungs and bronchi are: a full scan does not take more than 30 minutes, CT is a non-invasive and painless procedure, the image is high-quality and informative, you can simultaneously analyze the state of blood vessels, bone and soft tissues.
Also, computed tomography successfully replaces other examination methods that require surgical intervention. CT is an indispensable procedure that allows you to comprehensively examine any form of tuberculosis.
CT or MRI: medical advice
When choosing a diagnostic method, it is necessary to take into account the accuracy of the result. When examining the lungs and bronchi, doctors prefer to do a CT scan. This is due to the fact that magnetic resonance imaging poorly visualizes the organs of the chest and is very often inferior even to conventional x-rays.
MRI cannot fully display objects that are in continuous motion. Since the organs of the respiratory system are dynamic, they can be blurry and indistinct in images.
CT of the bronchi and lungs puts down detailed pictures of even the smallest pathologies and neoplasms in the organs. Thanks to the results of computed tomography, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes a course of treatment, thereby saving people’s lives.