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Various pathologies in the spine are always accompanied by discomfort in the chest or back. Sometimes problems in this part of the body are indicated by shortness of breath, shortness of breath, rapid fatigue, pain in the heart area. To correctly diagnose this condition, use x-rays of the thoracic spine. This method of radiation examination has been helping doctors and patients for more than 100 years. Despite the development of other diagnostic methods, conventional x-rays have not yet lost their popularity. With its help, the condition of the vertebrae is examined, curvatures, pathologies of internal organs are determined.
Why is a spinal x-ray used?
X-ray is a radiation, non-invasive method of examining any part of the body. His invention is considered a huge step in world medicine: it allows you to see the structure of the bone and the pathology of organs without surgical intervention. Advanced examination methods such as computed tomography are based on the same idea. X-ray method is used to diagnose many diseases, with pathologies bone tissue, it remains mandatory.
Radiation examination of the thoracic spine is prescribed in order to study it in detail state in the specified area. The reason for the appointment of the procedure is the patient’s complaints, injuries, doctor’s suspicions of disc displacement, hernia or other problems.
The thoracic region is considered the most protected from the influence of the external environment, but even the slightest failures in this system instantly affect the well-being.
The thoracic region is made up of 12 vertebrae and is the largest region of the spine. The ribs are attached to the vertebrae, thus forming the chest.
This part of the body performs several vital functions: it protects the internal organs and the spinal cord, provides support and balance, and participates in the movements of the whole body. Curvature, illness or injury in this area may be subtle, but life-threatening.
X-ray examination shows cracks, displacements, neoplasms. With a properly performed procedure, the doctor can see the pathology of the heart and respiratory system. Pictures are needed not only for diagnosis, they also help to determine the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment and change it, if necessary.
A patient can be assigned up to 7 diagnostics per year, the limitation is related to the radiation dose that the subject receives. However, such a process does not carry any particular danger, since the dosage is clearly calculated and the person does not suffer in any way.
In what cases is it necessary to undergo an examination
X-ray is prescribed to determine obstructive changes in the lungs, along with this, it reveals pathologies of the vertebrae and heart. This method is also used to diagnose oncological tumors in the chest area.
Examinations are carried out as part of scheduled examinations and as prescribed by the attending physician. Send to performance pictures can be taken by a cardiologist, neuropathologist, internist or vertebrologist – a doctor who treats the spine.
In addition, you can undergo this procedure at will if you have the following symptoms:
- violation of posture and gait, deformation of the chest;
- persistent pain in the back or chest;
- breathing problems: temporary stop, difficulty breathing, pain, feeling of lack air, etc.;
- frequent swelling of the legs;
- bleeding while coughing – hemoptysis;
- fast fatigue;
- prolonged fever for no apparent reason.
With such problems, you need to contact a therapist who will prescribe an examination and refer you to another narrow specialist. specializations, for example, a cardiologist, if complications are caused by malfunctions of the heart. To establish the exact cause of pain or other symptoms, a series of x-rays is required to assess the patient’s condition.
Indications for X-ray of the thoracic spine:
- curvature of the spine;
- injuries in the chest area, fractures and dislocations of the ribs, collarbones, displacement of the vertebrae;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system: enlarged heart size, aortic aneurysm, cardiomegaly, congenital malformations;
- fluid between the lungs and the outer wall of the sternum;
- all types of kyphosis – an acquired or congenital deformity of the spinal column, in which part of the vertebrae protrudes forward. It is expressed in stoop, sometimes – hunchback;
- calcification of the aorta or heart valve;
- accumulation of air in the pleural cavity, in the lungs and other tissues.
Pictures of the internal structure of the chest are also needed to monitor the operation of the catheter, pacemaker, defibrillator. In the pictures, the doctor can see other diseases, such as tuberculosis, dysplasia, pneumonia, pleurisy, and so on.
For examination of soft tissues, conventional X-ray uninformative, and inferior to computed tomography, so, as a rule, after obtaining images, the doctor may refer to a CT scan to confirm or refute suspicions.
Radiation diagnostics can show changes in the lymphatic system, which also signals a serious problem in the body. In this case, lymphangiography is considered more informative.
When X-ray is contraindicated
Since the imaging process is based on radiation exposure, not every patient can have this procedure. Although the dose of X-ray radiation is small and does not cause harm when used correctly, such a study is carried out only when there are no contraindications.
RџSЂRё of pregnancy X-ray of the thoracic spine is not done. Radiation exposure can cause irreparable violations in fetal development. This procedure is avoided even at a later date, replacing with alternative methods.such as MRI of the thoracic spine.
To get clear pictures, examined in the process of diagnosis should not move for some time and follow the commands of the radiologist, for example, hold your breath. With strong mental deviations and mental shifts, a person cannot fulfill this requirement., so it may be a contraindication for the study.
A barium examination is considered a temporary contraindication. An x-ray can be taken after such a procedure only after 4 hours.
In most cases survey carried over to the next day. People who are contraindicated in this technique are recommended other methods of examination – MRI, CT, angiography, etc. In extreme cases, doctors are forced to examine the problem area only during the operation.
Where is the best place to take pictures of the spine
The X-ray procedure is considered the most affordable and easiest to use. Compared to other diagnostic methods, this one can be done in any clinic. Similar devices are available in public clinics and hospitals, as well as major diagnostic centers. The process in both a private clinic and a public one will be the same.
The differences are only the price and waiting time for results. So, the state X-ray room will take pictures in a few minutes, and decoding can take several days. By law, this service in a public institution should be free.
Private diagnostic centers give the results of the examination within an hour. In addition, the X-ray machine can be digital, and such a device transmits an image to a computer monitor. The doctor can examine the condition of the organs and spine immediately during diagnostic process, it is very important in identifying dangerous pathological conditions.
The results of this technology are transferred at the request of the patient to an electronic medium – a flash card or DVD. Also, the health worker can send them by e-mail, which is much more convenient.
Reviews of the surveyed show that there is not much difference: in a state clinic to do an x-ray or in a private one. If comfort and level of service are important, you need a private one. The price for one shot will be from 10 to 40 dollars. Before the appointment, it is important to ask if the price includes data decryption. As a rule, in private centers you have to pay another 10-15 dollars for this.
However, modern equipment makes it possible to view surveyed area with multiple magnification. The doctor can examine in detail even small cracks or neoplasms. The old-fashioned technique Photos only on a film matrix, which narrows the possibilities of diagnosis.
How to prepare for an examination
For the diagnosis of the thoracic region spine no special preparation is needed. At the reception, you must definitely take a referral where the attending doctor indicated the area of interest. If the patient has already taken pictures before, they should also be brought for comparison. In the office, all preparations consist in the fact that the patient removes jewelry and clothing from the upper torso. Be sure to tell the health worker if there are implants, metal needles, plates, prostheses in the body.
How does this happen
After this preparation, the patient is given a lead apron – a special coating that protects other parts of the body from the harmful effects of x-rays. The device can be of two types: for horizontal shots or vertical ones. In most cases, the subject stands in the cabin, sometimes he is asked to lie down on a special table. In any case, the process takes a few minutes and is completely painless.
During radiography, pictures are taken in two projections: frontal and lateral. This is required for more information.
The subject first stands straight, then turns one side and the other. X-raythe aborant will monitor the correct position of the subject, control the entire process, and tell him what to do. The success of this process largely depends on how well the patient follows the instructions. Each of the obtained projections shows separate sections:
- Direct – reveals the body of each vertebra, its processes, intervertebral discs. Such pictures show well the deformation of the ribs and the spinal column. However, they are not enough to complete the picture.
- Lateral – done on both sides. Shows middle and lower thoracic vertebrae, endplates, rib deformity.
Sometimes X-ray of the thoracic region is not enough, as some areas may be “obscured” by internal organs, shoulder joints, etc. In such situations, the patient is prescribed an additional examinatione.g. CT or MRI.
After receiving the data, the doctor examines them in detail, compares them with the previous ones (if any), draws up a description and conclusion. He will not give recommendations regarding treatment, with the results obtained, you need to contact the doctor who sent him to the X-ray room.
How to reduce the harm from the examination
Radiation exposure certainly does not benefit the human body, but not all of its doses are hazardous to health. Every day we receive a small amount of radiation, for example, while sunbathing. Radiation is measured in sieverts (Sv), the daily background norm is 10 μSv for every inhabitant of the planet. During a chest x-ray, a person receives approximately 20 μSv. That is, such a procedure does not pose a direct threat, but it is still better not to accumulate the amount of radiation.
To reduce the harm from this procedureadvice from doctors It is recommended that after each session, the radiologist record in the conclusion how much radiation the patient received. Based on these data, the next level of exposure will be calculated: decrease or increase. It is also useful to correct the menu, introduce more seafood, dairy products, carrots, walnuts. Such a diet will quickly remove part of the radionuclides, and there will be no negative consequences from the diagnosis.