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A diagnostic method based on ionizing radiation that passes through the human body, in particular, through the anatomical structures of the thighs, is computed tomography (CT) of the femur.
X-ray radiation of bone and soft tissues (muscles, skin areas, blood vessels) is achieved thanks to the CT apparatus, which has a special component – a ring contour. It is the ring contour that serves as a source of X-rays.
Features of CT scan of the femur
Computed tomography is able to visualize the structure of the soft tissues and bones of the thigh. This research method helps to detect many pathologies in the examined area of the body. Based on the results of the diagnosis, the attending physician can determine how severe tissue damage is, make an accurate diagnosis, and then prescribe a course of therapy.
With the help of CT, it is possible to see in case of a fracture of the femur, how its fragments are located and their exact number. Computed tomography is indispensable for damage to vital vessels and nerves. Tomographs carry out end-to-end scanning of a certain part of the body and make the most reliable analysis of the obtained images.
Tomographs consist of: scanning unit; a special system that converts the received data; computer – it performs calculations for detailed visualization of the image; mobile table (the patient lies on it and moves the person to the scanning area).
There is a kind of computed tomography: intravenous injection of a contrast agent, which enhances the information content and details the image; used less often, usually prescribed for the study of soft tissues.
When is CT needed?
The longest and thickest bone in the human skeleton is the femur, and the most vulnerable part of it is the articular head, which forms the hip joint together with the ilium.
The bone itself can be subject to various diseases such as osteoporosis or osteomyelitis. Determining the root cause of the disease can be quite difficult, and the manifestations of the disease can be numerous. To understand the nature of the disease, to identify an anomaly, doctors resort to research using a tomograph.
CT is done for Perthes disease. This disease most often affects children aged 3-15 years, but can also occur in adults. Symptoms include necrosis (necrosis) of the joint. Reliable reasons for the development of the disease have not yet been established. There is a genetic predisposition, and under the influence of adverse factors, the disease develops. Often occurs against the background of congenital pathology – myelodysplasia, i.e. underdevelopment of the lumbar spinal cord.
Computed tomography is prescribed for arthritis of the hip joint – an inflammatory disease. The causes of coxitis can be many, depending on this, the disease is divided into different types: infectious, gouty, psoriatic, rheumatoid, reactive, osteoarthritis. For example, in osteoarthritis, inflammation occurs against the background of increased stress on the joint, and may occur due to severe bruising. Another name for the disease is coxarthrosis, in which it is advisable to conduct X-ray diagnostics with a tomograph. Coxarthrosis occurs due to degenerative changes in the hip joint, which lead to its slow deformation.
You should also prescribe a CT scan of the femur for: dysplasia (when normal bone tissue is replaced by fibrous connective tissue, which contributes to bone deformity and disruption of integrity), osteomyelitis (purulent damage to the bone with subsequent destruction), osteoporosis (a disease characterized by a violation of bone density due to lack of calcium, which leads to uncontrolled excessive bone fragility), tumors, injuries (bruises and fractures).
Computed tomography is used to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment of diseases and is recommended before surgery.
Symptoms that should be investigated
Symptoms of diseases of the femur may include such manifestations as, for example, fever, swelling of the thigh and pigmentation of the skin, dysfunction of the lower extremities. At the first appearance of symptoms (one or more), you should seek qualified medical help, the doctor will refer you for an examination: x-ray or computed tomography.
Diagnostic contraindications
Contraindications to CT include: pregnancy, as well as on some tomographs, the weight of the patient is more than 200 kilograms.
CT using an iodine-containing contrast agent is prohibited in case of: a serious condition of the patient (coma or shock), renal failure, allergic reactions to iodine, diabetes mellitus, thyroid pathologies, bronchial asthma.
Women during lactation should stop breastfeeding for 2 days, since the substance administered intravenously passes into breast milk and may have a negative effect on the condition of the baby.
Preparation and conduct of CT
Special preparation for this diagnosis is not required. If an iodine-containing substance is introduced during the procedure, certain rules should be observed: first, inform the doctor about past illnesses, in particular, the thyroid gland; the second is to warn about allergic reactions to iodine, if any; third – do not eat for six hours before the examination; fourth – do not drink water two hours before the study.
You need to arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time for the procedure. It is necessary to provide the doctor with a medical record, x-rays of the femur and the results of other tests.
Before the procedure itself, the patient should remove metal objects from himself. Next, he will be asked to expose the area of the body to be examined and go to the tomograph table. The patient should lie on his back on a special table.
The specialist who conducts the examination, sets up the technical equipment, then leaves the premises. Do not worry when the device makes noise during the procedure, this indicates that it is working properly. The table will move along the apparatus ring. The ring contour smoothly rotates around the person. The patient during the study should not feel discomfort or pain.
If a contrast is used during the study, then a solution of sodium chloride is injected through the catheter before diagnosis. The catheter is fixed and attached to special equipment, which is designed to inject the appropriate dose of iodine-containing contrast.
Only after the preparation of the patient begins computed tomography, which takes place exclusively under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. The substance is injected at the doctor’s command, then pictures are taken. The dose of an iodine-containing substance is calculated depending on the body weight of a person.
When the procedure comes to an end, the machine will stop making noise, and the table will return to its original place. The specialist will tell the patient when to get up and dress.
Adverse reactions after CT
Computed tomography is painless and does not cause any complications. Only when using contrast, side effects can occur: fever, dryness and a metallic taste in the mouth, numbness and tingling of body parts. These symptoms disappear within an hour after the procedure, so no treatment for the symptoms is provided.
Extremely rarely there are serious side effects: urticaria, vomiting, nausea, rhinitis, chills, fainting, anaphylactic shock, swelling of the neck and face, shortness of breath. For more serious adverse reactions, seek medical attention and treat symptomatically.
The main advantages of CT over other methods of studying the body
Conventional x-ray diagnostics allows you to get two-dimensional images, so many neoplasms cannot be seen on the images and the severity and nature of the disease cannot be determined. With a CT scanner, you can take pictures from various angles and points, which allows you to get three-dimensional three-dimensional images.
According to the images taken by the tomograph, the doctor can examine the neoplasms by enlarging the objects under study. This method increases the chances of making a correct diagnosis.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also gives three-dimensional images of body parts, but the principle of operation of the device is completely different. MRI is not suitable for people who have metal structures in their bodies, such as implants, pins, pacemakers, or vascular clamps. Patients with these structures are best to undergo computed tomography.
MRI takes longer than CT. For magnetic resonance imaging, it will take from 30 to 40 minutes, and for classical computed tomography from 30 to 60 seconds, with the addition of contrast from 10 to 20 minutes.
Patients who have diseases of the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system will find it difficult to remain motionless for a long period of time, so they should be prescribed CT.
Diagnostic results
The results of the study are given to the patient on a CD-ROM and pictures. The doctor writes his conclusion based on the picture of the pictures taken. It will take the radiologist 15 to 30 minutes to write the report.
Having studied the pictures, the doctor can determine the pathology and establish an accurate diagnosis. Imaging can suggest the length and circumference of the femur, visualize hip abnormalities, and locate any fracture.
Further treatment will be carried out by a doctor who specializes in the identified pathology. The traumatologist will treat various hip injuries and complications. If the CT scan reveals a tumor, you should contact an oncologist. A surgeon’s consultation is needed for inflammation. An orthopedist deals with bone deformities and pathologies. If specific changes are identified, a consultation with a rheumatologist may be necessary.