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The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ of the peripheral immune system and performs at least three protective functions. Firstly, it takes part in the body’s immune response, secondly, it removes bacteria and foreign particles from the blood, and thirdly, in some blood diseases, the spleen again begins to produce blood cells, as in the period of embryonic development. Inflammation of the spleen is noted in many infectious diseases of bacterial, viral and parasitic etiology, occurring with septic and hemolytic phenomena. Quite often, as a result of embolism or thrombosis of the splenic vessels, a splenic infarction occurs. Small heart attacks are asymptomatic, while large patients experience pain in the left hypochondrium, which is aggravated by movement, deep breathing and coughing. Computed tomography is used to diagnose the functionality and general condition of the organ. What you need to know about the method, how exactly is CT of the abdominal cavity performed, what are the indications and contraindications, as well as the results of the diagnosis?
General information about the spleen
The spleen is one of the organs of the abdominal cavity, located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen under the dome of the diaphragm. Normally, it has the shape of an elongated hemisphere, outwardly resembles a gland.
The most important function of the spleen is to control the cytological composition of the blood by removing erythrocytes and leukocytes that have lost their functional activity from the bloodstream. There is a reserve reservoir of blood here. The spleen is involved in some metabolic processes and, in particular, iron, internal hormonal processes.
In humans, until the 9th month of intrauterine development, the spleen performs the functions of hematopoiesis. Later, this function is taken over by the bone marrow, although in some mammals it is the spleen that continues to function as a hematopoietic organ.
What diseases of the body can be diagnosed using computed tomography?
CT gives a general picture of the state of the abdominal cavity, so absolutely all changes and pathological processes occurring in the organ will be visible on the final image. For example, in medical practice there are cases of congenital absence of the spleen or, conversely, the presence of two identical organs at once. With the help of diagnostics, it is also possible to track the displacement or bending of the organ, which is accompanied by infringement, compression of the venous vessels.
In general, primary lesions of the spleen are extremely rare. But doctors fix cases of secondary damage much more often than in any other organs. Among them – a spleen infarction, volvulus (twisting of the leg), which prevents normal blood circulation. With the help of CT, it is possible to investigate some purulent, inflammatory, infectious processes, cancerous neoplasms, cases of changes in the shape or size of an organ.
Important: Computed tomography should be done only as directed by a doctor. Keep in mind that during the study, the body is exposed to x-rays, which in large quantities can harm health.
General characteristics of the study
Computed tomography is one of the diagnostic methods, which is based on the measurement and computer processing of the effect of X-ray exposure on the tissue. Modern computed tomographs used for research are a complex software and hardware complex. Using built-in ultra-sensitive detectors, they capture x-rays that pass through the tissue, then process the information and produce a three-dimensional image of the scanned area. The study itself is characterized by painlessness, high speed and maximum information content.
How is the abdominal cavity diagnosed?
Usually, a CT scan is performed by an X-ray technician, but in some cases, the attending physician may also do this. The patient is placed on a CT scanner. It is a large circle with a sliding table, on which the patient is located. The laboratory assistant recommends to the patient the most correct and convenient location, instructs and leaves for another room. From this point on, the relationship between the patient and the staff takes place via a speakerphone built into the cabin. The laboratory assistant informs about the inclusion of the device, starts it and asks the patient to lie still for several minutes (the time depends on the area of diagnosis and the device itself).
Around the area to be scanned, a special device equipped with a tube and sensors begins to rotate. When scanning the abdominal cavity, it is necessary to hold your breath several times. The laboratory assistant will ask the patient about this during the diagnostic itself. Then the laboratory assistant stops the apparatus, returns to the patient’s office, helps him to get up and asks him to leave the room. The medical officer waits for the received information to be processed, then displays it on the screen and prints it out for further study by doctors. The result of the procedure can be picked up on the day of the diagnosis. This usually takes 30 minutes or more, depending on the workload of the medical staff.
Contrast enhancement
Contrast is used to improve the visibility of an organ, its vessels, and nerves. Most often, a contrast agent means iodine-containing preparations. They are administered orally or by injection, stain the desired organ or vessel, highlighting it in the final picture. Such visualization increases the efficiency of diagnostics, which helps the doctor to make a clear and quick diagnosis.
Barium sulfate is used to study the spleen. It is sold in the form of a white powder that does not dissolve in water. Depending on the purpose and method of administration, the substance is mixed with water and thickeners. The result is an opaque white mixture that is suitable for oral or enema administration. Barium sulfate is not dangerous and is quickly excreted from the body.
Indications/contraindications for
| Показания | Противопоказания |
|---|---|
| Pain or constant discomfort in the spleen area | Individual intolerance to iodine-containing drugs (in case of a contrast study) |
| Puffiness, enlargement of the organ | Severe kidney pathology (in the case of a contrast study, since the body will not be able to effectively remove the iodine-containing drug) |
| Suspicion of oncological neoplasms | Severe diabetes mellitus, thyroid pathology, multiple myeloma (in the case of a contrast study) |
| Mechanical damage to the abdominal cavity | The period of pregnancy, regardless of the period and well-being of the woman in labor (since X-ray radiation can adversely affect the development and health of the fetus) |
| Suspicion of severe inflammatory processes in the organ, infarction, volvulus, abscess or atrophy | Excessively overweight patient (depending on the maximum weight that the apparatus can support) |
| Confirmation/denial of growth or presence of a cyst | Mental disorders (during the diagnosis, the instructions of the laboratory assistant should be followed, and a mentally ill person will not be able to do this) |
| The state of drug or alcohol intoxication (due to the inability to control one’s own body and possible distortion of the results) | |
| Illness or poor health of the patient (with a temporary deterioration in the condition, the decision on the diagnosis should be made by the attending physician) |
Preparing for a CT scan
Commercial state diagnostic centers are equipped with computer tomographs. Before visiting the office, you must bring your medical documentation with you. It should contain a preliminary diagnosis, complaints and a doctor’s referral for computed tomography. Also, in the medical documentation, the areas of study, the clinical task and specific recommendations for the laboratory assistant should be recorded. Additionally, you can transfer the results of previous studies, they may be important when performing a CT scan (to make a complete pathological picture).
Important: it is necessary to provide medical documentation in full, otherwise the study will be uninformative.
Before starting the diagnosis, the laboratory assistant is obliged to inform the patient about the upcoming manipulations and actions. If you listened to or missed the details, be sure to ask the laboratory assistant about them. The result directly depends on the correctness of the diagnostics, so be careful.
First, the patient must lie still. Any involuntary movements can distort the result and reduce the overall information content of the image. This can make it difficult for a doctor to make a diagnosis and may need to be re-diagnosed. Even if only 1 or 2 scans are distorted, the subsequent XNUMXD reconstruction will contain obvious defects.
Secondly, before a CT scan, you should remove all jewelry, watches and refuse clothes with various metal elements. Choose the most simple clothing made from natural fabrics so as not to distort the results and not feel discomfort during the study. The metal will shield the scanned areas of the skin from x-rays. The result is that the image will have white empty areas that do not correspond to the actual state of the abdominal cavity.
Important: if you are scanning the abdomen, then the earrings in the ears can be left. The main thing is that the metal does not block the access of x-rays in the area being examined.
Possible side effects
Computed tomography is considered a safe procedure, and the risk of side effects is minimized. All modern equipment works with reduced radiation exposure, so you should not worry about the harmful effects of x-rays. Some patients report dizziness or nausea after the procedure. This is due to the rotation of the scanner over the abdominal cavity, which can cause motion sickness, but given the time frame of diagnosis, the symptoms quickly disappear, and the body returns to normal.
Some side effects may occur after a contrast CT scan. At the injection site (for the introduction of an iodine-containing drug), itching, redness or discomfort may occur. Usually such a reaction is characteristic of patients with hypersensitivity. When administered orally, an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth may occur, but it quickly disappears without leaving marks. At the time of injection of the contrast agent, the patient may feel a sharp heat or cold. Special adjustment of this state is not required, and the normal temperature is restored in a few minutes.
Important: the risk of developing more serious side effects is minimal. If you feel a sharp deterioration in the condition during / after the diagnosis, inform the laboratory assistant or doctor about this. The medical staff will provide you with the necessary assistance and tell you how to avoid worsening your condition in the future.
Computed tomography of the spleen (and abdominal organs in general) is a standard diagnostic procedure in medical practice. It is as informative as possible, relatively safe, takes little time for both the patient and the medical staff. The main thing is to strictly follow the recommendations of the doctor and try to relax. Pay due attention to your own body and be healthy.