X-ray how to do. Chest x-ray: indications for diagnosis

When is an X-ray of a child's lungs done?

• If acute inflammation or cancer of the chest organs is suspected;
  In the absence of alternative diagnostic methods;
  Are there x-ray studies with less exposure and similar diagnostic value;
  Has the child had an X-ray before?

Answering the above questions, the doctor determines the rationality of the study.

Scheme of X-ray examination of the mediastinum in children (according to M. Hofer)

An x-ray of the chest organs is taken in children when an acute inflammatory reaction is observed in laboratory blood tests (an increase in leukocytes and a shift in the formula to the left). To remove the suspicion of pneumonia, there are no alternative methods. Magnetic resonance imaging is not a substitute for the classic x-ray of the lungs, it complements the examination when obtaining facts about the presence of cancer of the lung tissue or mediastinum.

Such approaches are used by doctors of state medical institutions and, of course, X-rays are carried out free of charge as prescribed by a doctor.

Parents may wish to have a chest x-ray done for their child. This approach is not always justified due to the harmfulness of x-rays. Without consulting a radiologist, one can hardly justify the carelessness of the thoughtless application of the study.

Private medical clinics with great pleasure do x-rays for a fee, both for children and adults. The approach is understandable, because they receive financial resources for the procedure. Let's try to highlight the main points when you can make an x-ray of the lungs for a child for a fee:

• Coughing;
• Temperature above 38 degrees for more than 3 days;
• Bloating of the nasolabial triangle;

X-ray photo of a teenager with lymphoma

In the presence of the above symptoms, it can be assumed that there is a dangerous croupous pneumonia, so an x-ray is justified. Launched lobar or total pneumonia will lead to death.

There are 2 types of X-ray examinations: classical and digital. In the latter case, modern technologies are used to eliminate the need to expose the image to X-ray film from the process. Digital technologies allow you to fix the image on a special electronic matrix with subsequent processing by software.

Traditional radiography is performed by state medical institutions for a fee. They are deprived of financial resources to purchase digital equipment. As a result, even though it is possible to perform a chest x-ray in hospitals for free, we advise a child (if there are serious indications) to have a chest x-ray performed for a fee in institutions where digital technologies are used. The procedure allows you to significantly reduce the patient's radiation dose and obtain high-quality results.

Describing how a chest x-ray is done for children, we highlight some of the features of the procedure in comparison with adults. Even Soviet pediatricians developed special devices so that the baby would lie motionless during exposure to x-rays.

Scheme for obtaining an x-ray image

The equipment is a special stand on which a small patient is placed. His torso, arms and legs are fixed to the base of the stand. Then the radiologist asks the parents to leave the office and activates the emission of x-rays from the tube by pressing a button on the machine's control panel.

This is how chest x-rays are done for children. Pain during the study does not occur, so often people forget about the harm from the study.

Answering how often you can take an x-ray of the lungs of a child, you should determine the purpose for which the examination is prescribed. If tuberculosis is suspected, an x-ray examination is scheduled once a quarter to track the dynamics of treatment.

With inflammation of the lungs, it is necessary to control the process of using antibiotics. Pneumonia is a life-threatening condition, therefore, after 3-4 days of taking antibacterial drugs, a chest x-ray is prescribed to determine the effectiveness of the treatment of the disease.

In radiation therapy of cancerous tumors, X-ray irradiation of a pathological formation is carried out daily. The main task of using X-ray therapy in such a situation is to destroy the cancer. Harm to other cells of radiation exposure in such a situation is secondary.

In other situations, the answer to the question of how often an X-ray of the lungs can be done requires individual decisions.

Everyone knows that "radiation" is dangerous. Most of the population has no other ideas about ionizing radiation. Against this background, a fear of radiography is formed.

Radiation is dangerous when its effect on the body exceeds a certain threshold. In other cases, one can hardly count on any negative impact from low doses of ionizing radiation even on children. What should be the dose to determine how often lung x-rays can be taken? Not more than 1 mSv per year. Such a norm is adopted by the Federal Law.

After each x-ray examination, the received dose is recorded in the "individual radiation passport". The document is the main one in deciding the question of the rationality of the next X-ray examination. If the annual dose in it approaches 1 mSv with the summation of all radiographic examinations in all projections (not only the lungs, but also other organs), you should seriously think before the next procedure.

It is especially dangerous in such a situation to do x-rays for a fee without a doctor's referral.

The acceptable frequency of x-ray procedures should be determined by the patient. Unfortunately, specialists of different specialties with the help of X-rays solve only their own problems. For example, a pediatrician may order an X-ray examination of a child's lungs if pneumonia is suspected. The surgeon asks to take a picture of the arm or leg in case of injury.

The traumatologist will want to see if there is a curvature of the back with the help of x-rays. At the same time, each of the specialists solves only his own tasks, despite the list of appointments from other doctors. If the patient does not independently calculate the dose in the individual radiation passport, he may actually receive excess radiation.

The benefits and harms of x-rays are described above. Parents should know their rights, which they can exercise when a doctor prescribes an x-ray of their child's lungs.

If the pediatrician is not qualified enough and prescribes x-rays to exclude pneumonia, it is better to consult a more competent specialist; By law, parents can be present when their child is x-rayed. They keep the child on the table, but the X-ray technician must use lead clothing to protect the organs from radiation as much as possible;

MRI of a child without a referral

An x-ray without a referral is not worth doing. The necessary conditions for X-rays were described above not only for children, but also for adults.

The practice of a radiologist confirms the frequent appeal of patients with requests to make an x-ray of a particular organ. Specialists are forced to refuse, as they cannot study the patient's condition and determine the rationality of the study. Only after laboratory tests are performed and a thorough examination of the person's condition is carried out, the need for X-ray diagnostics and the absence of other alternative methods is determined.

X-ray photo of a child's lungs: congenital pericarditis

Magnetic resonance imaging does not apply to radiation methods, therefore it is relatively safe. Its information content is 98% percent, which allows extensive use of procedures for the diagnosis of lung diseases (cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia) and mediastinum. It would seem that he should notice the classic chest x-ray, but this does not happen. Why?

Firstly, only large medical institutions have magnetic resonance tomographs. The products are quite expensive, so not every hospital has the funds to purchase them. Secondly, in order to make a high-quality magnetic scan, the patient must lie motionless on the examination table for 30-45 minutes.

Why you can not do preventive fluorography for children

Preventive fluorography, which adults undergo once a year, cannot be done to children. This approach is justified, as the baby's cells grow rapidly. So that radiation exposure would not provoke mutations in the genetic apparatus of DNA, it was decided to abandon the preventive study.

Preparation for x-rays in children

Mandatory fluorography was introduced into medicine in order to detect pulmonary tuberculosis in the initial stages. Screening helps prevent mass infection of the population. In children, the lung tissue is airy, so Mycobacterium tuberculosis affects it less often. Only if there is a person with tuberculosis in the family, the child is given X-ray diagnostics, but only by X-ray (and not fluorography).

In modern conditions, it must be understood that modern digital x-ray machines surpass even old fluorographic devices in terms of radiation dose per patient. When performing x-ray examinations on them, the patient receives a smaller dose of radiation. Thus, there is no rationality in performing fluorography in children.

The X-ray apparatus is very simple in its design and will not present great difficulties in manufacturing.

The main parts that make up any x-ray machine are: an x-ray tube, a high-voltage transformer, fixed capacitors, a rheostat, and a fluorescent screen.

We already have a high voltage transformer. It will completely replace us. Just remember that an x-ray machine needs a coil that gives a spark at least 8-10 cm long.

High-capacity capacitors can be bought ready-made, designed for high voltage. A rheostat can also be purchased ready-made, preferably used for heating kenotrons in powerful amplifiers of radio nodes.

We only need to make an x-ray tube. True, and they are now available for sale. But, firstly, they are still relatively expensive, and secondly, they require a very high voltage for their work, much more than our transformer can give. Making your own x-ray tube is not so difficult.

We will make it from an ordinary electric light bulb.

For this, a new hollow electric light bulb of 25 watts is taken better. On the widest part of the pear of the balloon, it is necessary to stick a steel circle with a diameter of 2 cm, and short-circuit the base (see figure a).

Staniol should be glued very carefully so that there are no wrinkles, scratches and voids between it and the balloon.

Glue should be used as little as possible. But it is best to glue the frame with egg white.

While the circle dries up, we will deal with the arrangement of a tripod for the future tube.

The tripod is made of four boards in size: two 100 mm each and two 100x200 mm each. In one of the boards measuring 100x100 mm, a hole is cut in the center along the diameter of the electric cartridge. A box is knocked together from the planks, as shown in Figure b.

When the box is ready, an electric cartridge, preloaded with a cord, is screwed into it; our Crookes tube, made from an electric light bulb, is screwed into the cartridge.

When the light bulb is tightly screwed into the socket, the frame circle on it should be against some side wall. If this did not work out right away, then the cartridge should be rotated somewhat in the socket.

A mark is made against the steel circle on the wall, and the light bulb is turned out. Then, at the mark, a small hole is drilled for contact with the lamp.

The contact can be made of thick copper wire with a cross section of 5 mm and a length of 50-60 mm. At one end of the wire, a copper circle with a diameter of 10 mm is soldered. It is advisable to first carefully bend this circle on the pear of our light bulb so that when it comes into contact with the steel circle, the contact is tighter.

The wire is inserted from inside the tripod into the prepared hole, and the contact point that will be in contact with the board must first be isolated, preferably with an ebonite or porcelain tube, but so that the rod moves in it with great friction.

You can use for insulation a porcelain roller used for electrical wiring. But in these cases, according to the hole of the roller, it will first be necessary to select the diameter of the wire and then proceed to the manufacture of the contact.

When the contact is inserted into place, a meter long piece of electrical cord is soldered to its outer end.

A light bulb is screwed into the box, the contact is carefully, but as tight as possible, moved to the frame circle, screwed to the side wall, and our X-ray tube is ready for use.

Remember that the success of our X-ray apparatus depends on the accuracy of the manufacture of the contact and the steel circle and on the density of their contact.

If there is even the slightest fold or scratch on the steel circle, or the contact is poorly pressed to the circle, then when the high voltage is turned on, the bulb of the lamp can be pierced by an electric spark - and all work will be spoiled.

For ease of handling the X-ray machine, it should be assembled on a common stable tripod. The tripod is made of wooden bars according to Fig.3. Two frames 200x200 mm in size are connected from bars with a section of 30x30 mm and installed one from the other at a distance of 100 mm on a board 220x220 mm in size. For the base you need to take a thick board.

A box with an X-ray tube is attached to one of the frames in the center. The other frame will serve to install the fluorescent screen.

It is very convenient to use a small closed bedside table for the X-ray unit. In this case, batteries are located in its lower compartment, a coil is located in the upper compartment, and a lamp with a screen is installed on the nightstand.

The fluorescent screen for our device needs a small one. A screen larger than 150 X 150 mm should not be made, since it will still be useless: our apparatus has little power and will not be able to illuminate the entire screen. For the screen, a wooden frame is made according to its size, the latter is attached to the second frame on the base, opposite the lamp.

Now it remains only to connect the x-ray tube to a high voltage source, turn on the current - and the x-ray machine is ready for action. The X-ray tube is connected to the Ruhmkorf coil according to the scheme shown in Fig. 2.

When connecting, make sure that the wires coming from the poles of the coil do not pass at a close distance from each other, in any case not closer than 15-20 cm, otherwise sparks may jump between them, which not only “disturb the normal operation of the apparatus, but may also be life-threatening.

You should also not place the coil close to the lamp, no closer than one meter.

It is necessary to connect the lamp to the coil as follows: to the anode, that is, the positive pole of the coil, a wire is connected coming from the filament of the lamp, and to the cathode, the negative pole, a wire is connected coming from the contact attached to the stanol circle on the bulb of the lamp; moreover, both one and the other connection is made not directly with the contact of the coil, but through Leyden jars, as indicated in the diagram.

To determine the polarity of the coil contacts, its spark gaps are moved apart so that a spark cannot slip between them. Turn on current. In this case, a luminous brush appears on the positive pole, facing the other electrode. And on the negative one there can be a brush, only of a smaller size, or just a luminous dot. You can only see it in the dark.

When our X-ray tube is correctly connected to the coil, the cathode, by sending out so-called cathode rays, will cause a bright yellow-green fluorescence on the glass of the bulb. At the same time, invisible X-rays are also emitted into space.

If this fluorescent glow does not work, and the light bulb is filled only with a violet glow, then this means that it is not connected correctly or the induction power of our coil is insufficient for such a light bulb. Then you should take a light bulb with a smaller pear.

Instead of a Ruhmkorff coil, an ordinary power transformer with a high transformation ratio and even a bobbin from a car can be used to build an X-ray machine.

You can also, in extreme cases, do without Leyden jars if it is not possible to make or purchase them. The X-ray lamp will then work somewhat weaker.

The screen for the X-ray machine can be purchased at the pharmacy, in the medical equipment department.

X-ray machine testing and operation

Having once again checked the correctness of the connections of the X-ray machine and making sure that everything is done correctly, and most importantly, safety for work is ensured, the operator sits down to the machine, inserts the open palm of his left hand between the X-ray tube and the screen, and the light turns off in the room.

Turning on the Ruhmkorf coil, you will immediately see a cloudy outline of your hand on the screen.

By adjusting the distance of the hand between the screen and the X-ray tube, as well as the voltage applied to the Ruhmkorff coil, you will quickly achieve a position where the bony knuckles of the fingers and the barely noticeable outlines of the contours of the fingers stand out clearly against the pale greenish background of the screen.

Now that the device has been tested and you are convinced that it works well, you can start interesting experiments with it.

Our X-ray machine can view not only the hands, but also small animals: the skeleton, for example, of a cat, a puppy. For students who already study animal anatomy, this is especially interesting and useful.

Considering the internal structure of birds, reptiles and insects will bring a lot of interesting things.

Such transillumination is called fluoroscopy.

Content

X-ray examination at home is a paid medical service, with the help of which a doctor performs radiation diagnostics of diseases outside the clinic, on call. The procedure includes a picture of an organ or system, its description. If necessary, the doctor will provide medical assistance, prescribe treatment.

Indications

You can call an x-ray at home in Moscow around the clock by calling the clinic or placing an order on a special website. Urgent diagnosis may be required in adult patients. The call of a radiologist for a child is carried out only according to clinical indications.

A consultation with a local pediatrician is required.

Indications for research:

Bruises, injuries of the head, spine.

• Dislocations, suspected fractures of the ribs, arms or legs.
• Stretching of the hip, knee, elbow and ankle joints.
• Long-term, severe infectious colds.
• Pathology of the lungs or bronchi.
• Diseases of the ear, throat, nose, teeth.

A chest x-ray examines the organs, soft tissues, and bones of this region.

Unlike fluorography, the method gives not only a general idea of ​​​​the lungs, bronchi, heart, but also accurately, with high accuracy, visualizes organs, vessels, lymph nodes.

Who gets X-rays at home?

The doctor will take an urgent x-ray of the femoral neck, upper or lower extremities, and will also apply a plaster or splint in a timely manner.

Pros and cons

The advantages of x-ray examination at home include the ability to call a doctor around the clock, any day of the week, at a convenient time for the patient. The patient does not need to wait in line at the clinic, he is guaranteed an individual attentive approach. The doctor will quickly take a picture and its description.

To receive the service, you need to carefully approach the choice of clinic. X-ray at home is always paid, and the cost of services in different institutions is not the same.

You need to study, compare prices at prices, and then call a specialist.

Mobile x-ray machines

For x-rays at home, small-sized, lightweight mobile units are used. Digital readers instantly take high-quality and accurate pictures. Radiation exposure is 2-3 times lower than that of film devices. The special design reduces scattered and side radiation.

Contraindications

X-rays of the lungs at home for overweight people are rarely used. When the patient weighs more than 120 kg, the speed of taking pictures slows down. They do not provide complete information about the state of the respiratory system, diagnosis requires clarification. With caution, only for medical reasons, X-rays are prescribed for pregnant women and children.

The procedure is prohibited if the child has not reached the age of three months.

When diagnosing and monitoring the quality of therapy for dental pathologies, in addition to a simple examination, a specialist often resorts to radiography. More often we are talking about a targeted image of the tooth, through which the doctor assesses the condition of the dental tissue, as well as the one that surrounds the tooth.

Aiming shot: concept and purpose

1. The subject sits down in a chair. The doctor gets acquainted with the area where the problem is located.
2. To prevent the adverse effects of rays on the body, a protective layer is provided: the patient's body is covered with a special apron.
3. The doctor fixes the head of the subject in a given position to obtain a clear x-ray picture.
4. On the target area (inside the oral cavity immediately behind the dentition or on the front side), the specialist directs a beam of rays using a digital sensor.

The process takes several minutes. A quarter of an hour later, the patient is given a picture on paper, sometimes in electronic form.

During x-rays, the patient is required to remain still.

Description of the dental radiograph

A dentist or radiologist reads an x-ray. Describing the resulting picture, the doctor conducts its qualitative assessment.

Then the specialist examines the level of rigidity, density, homogeneity of the bone structures of the upper (lower) jaw, the placement of the elements of the dentition.

Symptoms that may appear on an x-ray are described in the table below:

The doctor determines if there are signs of enlightenment or darkening. In this case, we are talking about cavities, cysts, granulomas, inflammations and neoplasms.

Performing x-rays in children

• obtaining a clear picture of the tooth and tissues;
• safety;
• carrying out several procedures without the risk of adverse effects of x-ray radiation on the human body;
• convenient storage of successive images on a computer or electronic media;
• the ability to print images;
• the best conditions for assessing the clinical picture (the picture can be enlarged several times).

Among the shortcomings of the described method, it is worth noting the release of images from only one angle and the small coverage of the study area.

Where to get an X-ray, how much does the procedure cost, video

The service of targeted radiography is available in almost every specialized clinic. The cost varies in the region of 400-450 rubles.

Some clinics provide for the practice of laying down several X-ray procedures (2-4) as part of dental treatment - the patient has the opportunity to save money.

Targeted dental X-ray is a highly informative and safe procedure that allows you to identify a dental problem and monitor the effectiveness of the therapy. It is successfully carried out both for adults and children. X-rays are used with caution in the case of pregnant women and infants.

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  X-ray examination is one of the most informative for determining the majority of diseases of internal organs, such as cancer, tuberculosis. Also, doctors prescribe it to make an accurate diagnosis of bone and soft tissue injuries.

  What are x-rays and why are they needed?

  An X-ray is a medical examination in which a low dose of X-rays is beamed through the human body. They are unevenly absorbed by different tissues, depending on the density. The whiter the image on the x-ray, the denser the tissue.

  Such a study helps the doctor to make a diagnosis or check the effectiveness of the chosen treatment.

  Properties of X-rays and their application in medicine

  Today, the use of X-rays in medicine has made it possible to diagnose many diseases of organs and bone tissue at an early stage.

  The penetrating power of X-rays is used to determine the shadows of organs and tissues. The heart, which has a denser structure, looks lighter in the picture, the lungs filled with air, the bones look white.

  X-ray has the following properties:

  1. Fluorescent. Some chemicals glow when X-rays pass through them. This property is used in the study by fluoroscopy.
  2. Photochemical. Due to the reaction of silver in the composition of the photo layer, an image is obtained that the doctor studies.
  3. Ionizing. By the number of ions released when exposed to X-rays, the dose of radiation received by a person during the study is considered.
  4. Damaging. Because of this property, X-ray examinations are carried out in appropriate rooms and with the use of lead shielding.

  When studying an X-ray image, the diagnosis is made after examining the blackouts and enlightenments.

  Any x-ray image is considered positive. Therefore, doctors call "black" "white" and vice versa.

  What can an x-ray show?

  X-rays can show diseases:

  • tuberculosis;
  • pneumonia.

  An x-ray will also show:

  • bone integrity;
  • hematomas;
  • soft tissue seals.

  The x-ray shows:

  • state of organs;
  • location of organs;
  • density changes;
  • inflammation.

  On the channel "Human Anatomy" the doctor tells what is seen on the x-ray of the chest cavity

  Basic X-ray Methods

  Initially, radiologists used two main methods of X-ray examination:

  • fluoroscopy;
  • radiography.

  Later, other types of surveys appeared:

  • computed x-ray tomography;
  • bronchography;
  • angiography;
  • thermography;
  • electroradiography;
  • fluorography and others.

  Radiography

  An X-ray is a picture of the internal organs or bones. An X-ray image can be taken on film or computer equipment. If the analysis is carried out on computer equipment, exposure is minimal.

  The examination is carried out in projections:

  • straight;
  • side.

  The doctor can spend an unlimited amount of time analyzing the x-ray image.

  Radiography is widely used:

  • in traumatology;
  • in a clinical trial;
  • when studying the axial radiograph of the skull;
  • for emergency x-rays.

  Advantages of radiography performed on digital equipment:

  • high detail;
  • the ability to view studies recorded on disk;
  • the ability to create an archive of x-ray images;
  • the opportunity to discuss the diagnosis with other doctors.

  Digital radiography can be taken repeatedly, which is effective for studying the dynamics of the patient's treatment progress. This was made possible by reducing radiation exposure.

  Fluoroscopy

  X-ray is an opportunity to study the functional state of organs:

  • lungs;
  • esophagus
  • hearts;
  • stomach;
  • diaphragms;
  • intestines.

  With radiography, such a study is impossible, because a static picture is being studied.

  The examination is carried out taking into account the various positions of the patient:

  • in horizontal;
  • in vertical;
  • with different rotations around the axis.

  Also, fluoroscopy allows you to perform such operations as:

  • cardiac catheterization;
  • elimination of intestinal obstruction, etc.;
  • in emergency conditions.

  Using the modern method of computer fluoroscopy, the image can be written to disk and examined at any time.

  Computed X-ray tomography

  Computed tomography makes it possible to obtain a layered X-ray image in the form of a section of the human body at a given depth at any level.

  You can check the slice:

  • skulls;
  • bones;
  • chest;
  • abdominal cavity;
  • joints.

  For the study, the patient is placed on a tripod and asked to lie still. The X-ray tube and cassette move in relation to the body. Images of all organs are smeared, except for the desired one. The thickness of the tomographic layer is calculated depending on the swing angle of 20-50 degrees.

  

  Tomography is performed to diagnose diseases:

  • lungs;
  • mediastinum;
  • lumen of the trachea;
  • bronchi;
  • lymph nodes;
  • larynx;
  • skulls;
  • nose
  • bones;
  • joints;
  • kidneys;
  • adrenals, etc.

  Tomography also helps to clarify the nature of pathological blackouts, which are analyzed to determine:

  • fibrosis;
  • decay sites;
  • state of organ contours;
  • organ structures.

  Thermography

  Thermography diagnoses some diseases by studying the thermal radiation of a person using a thermograph. The study evaluates the infrared wavelength range.

  Thermoscopy is carried out in a special room for 2-5 minutes. In this case, the patient must adapt to the room temperature. The laboratory assistant displays a black-and-white or color image on the screen, which is fixed on photochemical paper.

  

  Pathological symptoms:

  • hyperthermia;
  • hypothermia.

  Hyperthermia shows:

  1. Acute inflammation. Body temperature is 0.7-1 degrees above normal.
  2. Chronic inflammation. The temperature is higher by 1 - 1.5.
  3. Purulent processes. In this case, the temperature difference is 1.5-2 degrees.
  4. Malignant tumor. Stable rise in temperature by 2-2.5 degrees.

  Hypothermia is fixed when:

  • angiospasm;
  • vasoconstriction;
  • stenosis of the vessels.

  Thermography is prescribed for:

  • circulatory disorders;
  • assessment of the activity of arthritis, bursitis;
  • clarification of the boundaries of burn injury or frostbite;
  • "acute abdomen";
  • inflammatory diseases of various organs;
  • tumor diagnosis.

  Electroradiography

  In electroradiography, an x-ray image is not projected onto a film, but onto a selenium plate charged with static electricity. The image is then captured on paper. More than 100 images can be taken from one plate.

  This method of performing an examination is used in the diagnosis of bone injuries in dynamics. This method is much cheaper than pictures taken on film equipment.

  Fluorography

  X-ray fluorographic examination is carried out annually (from the age of 15) to diagnose diseases of the chest organs:

  • tuberculosis;
  • pneumonia;
  • cancer;
  • cyst;
  • inflammatory processes;
  • heart disease;
  • lung failure, etc.

  When conducting a study on modern digital equipment, fluorography can be done more often.

  What is an x-ray with contrast?

  X-ray with contrast is necessary in cases where it is necessary to enlighten tissues filled with air, located next to dense tissues. For example, lungs near the mediastinum. Also, analysis with contrast is necessary when x-raying tissues with the same density.

  Pictured is an x-ray with contrast.

  

  Substances used in the study:

  1. High contrast (X-ray positive). Their contrast is much higher than that of soft tissues. They look darker in the picture. So, in the study of the esophagus and organs of the gastrointestinal tract, barium sulfate is used.
  2. Water soluble. This category includes iodine-containing solutions. They are used for contrasting blood vessels, heart, urinary system. They are less toxic. Iodized oils are also used to obtain contrast. They are used in research in gynecology, urology, gastroenterology.
  3. Low contrast (X-ray negative). As a rule, these are gases. On x-rays, they are visible as strong enlightenments. Substances are introduced with x-rays of the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels.

  Contrast agents are administered:

  • orally;
  • enema;
  • puncture;
  • using catheters or syringes;
  • intravenously.

  When using an iodine-containing substance, a biological sample is used. This is necessary to avoid serious harm to health.

  Separately, studies using contrast are distinguished:

  • bronchography;
  • angiography.

  Bronchography

  In bronchography, the method of artificial contrast is used.

  It is carried out with:

  • anomalies in the development of the bronchi;
  • cysts;
  • bronchiectasis;
  • tumors;
  • fistulas.

  To conduct a study through the nose, a contrast agent is injected into the respiratory tract. Through fluoroscopy, first one half of the bronchial tree is removed. Then the contrast is pumped out and injected into the other half of the bronchial tree. Fluoroscopy is carried out in frontal and lateral projections.

  Angiography

  For angiography, artificial contrasting of the vessels is performed. In such a study, a special substance is injected into the patient's body, it penetrates the vessels and "illuminates" them.

  During the procedure, complications are possible:

  • infection;
  • bleeding;
  • intoxication;
  • nausea;

  The procedure is carried out in a special room and is prescribed in extreme cases.

  Reasons for appointment may be:

  • vascular damage;
  • inflammatory diseases;
  • tumors;
  • developmental anomalies.

  Indications and contraindications for X-ray diagnostics

  X-ray diagnostics is associated with radiation, so it has limitations.

  • in the early stages of pregnancy;
  • if the patient cannot stand or sit;
  • in general severe condition.

  When breastfeeding, it is necessary to carefully approach the conduct of x-rays, fluorography.

  Indications for X-ray examination:

  • trauma;
  • prevention of diseases of the chest;
  • checking blood vessels, veins, etc.;
  • diagnosis of diseases of internal organs.

  Advantages and disadvantages of the method

  Benefits of doing research:

  • high diagnostic accuracy;
  • the ability to determine the location of damage (disease);
  • testing the effectiveness of treatment.

  Disadvantages of radiodiagnosis:

  • irradiation of the body;
  • the inability to conduct x-rays often;
  • organ damage is not visible at an early stage.

  When conducting a digital research method, harm to the body is reduced by 40%, and the accuracy of diagnosis is reduced by 50%. With film equipment, there is a high risk of an erroneous diagnosis associated with film defects; with digital X-ray, these errors are excluded.

  Rules for the preparation and conduct of X-ray examinations

  During X-ray diagnostics, a person is exposed to radiation exposure, so it is necessary to provide ways of protection for the patient and medical staff.

  X-rays are done in a special room, divided into two parts:

  • for the radiologist;
  • for the patient.

  X-ray rules:

  • the patient must be fixed in a fixed position;
  • organs that do not need diagnostics should be protected by a lead apron, plate.

  When analyzing the organs of the digestive system, intestines:

  • diet;
  • bowel cleansing;
  • restriction of fluid intake.

  Is x-ray harmful and how often can it be done?

  X-rays without harm to health can be done several times a year. The attending physician, when writing out a referral to a radiologist, takes into account the maximum load on the body and the patient's capabilities. Therefore, x-rays are prescribed only in cases of emergency.

  X-ray examinations of children

  X-rays are not dangerous for children. In some cases, when prescribing, the danger from x-rays is several times lower than the danger of not detecting the disease.

  Devices for reducing radiation exposure

  To reduce the load on the body and improve image quality, there are special devices:

  1. Electron-optical amplifier. It enhances the brightness and accuracy of the image by converting the X-ray image into light and electronic. When using it, the radiation load on the patient and medical staff is reduced by 15 times.
  2. Compression tube. This is a lead cylinder. which reduces the radiation field. It increases the pressure on the patient's body, which allows you to get a clearer image by reducing the amount of scattered rays.
  3. Diaphragm. It narrows the irradiation field and works like a tube.
  4. Screening grid. With its help, scattering radiation is absorbed and image quality is improved.

  Video

  Julia Oznobikhina shares information about the basics of radiology, radiology and radiology of the chest organs.