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Computed tomography of the spine
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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CT of the spine is a modern layered study of the human body. It is based on the computer measurement and processing of the difference in attenuation of X-ray radiation by tissues of different density.
Due to this procedure, it is possible to examine the organ from different angles. At the heart of the CT is a special X-ray computer tomograph. It is he who scans the human body and allows you to get a detailed snapshot.
Indications for CT of the spine
Indications for CT of the spine are varied. Most often, the procedure is carried out to identify his injuries, as well as diagnosing the cause of back pain, including herniated intervertebral disc.
In addition, it allows you to assess the condition of the spine before and after the operation. It is possible to identify various types of tumors of the spine, including metastatic tumors. Some types of neoplasms are capable of giving distant metastases to the bone tissue of the vertebrae.
CT allows us to identify the presence of intervertebral hernia, to assess the density of bone tissue and to predict possible compression fracture of the vertebra, especially in patients with osteoporosis.
The procedure is also performed as a diagnostic. For example, with a biopsy of a suspicious area or removal of fluid from an abscess. Tomography is also shown for people with a narrowing of the spinal canal, vertebral fracture, infectious-inflammatory or degenerative diseases, such as arthritis. In this case, the CT of the spine will provide a detailed picture of the disease.
MRI or CT of the spine?
For a long time people argue that it is better to have an MRI or CT scan of the spine. The main difference between these procedures is the different physical phenomena that are used in the apparatus. For CT, this is X-ray radiation, thanks to which one can get an idea of the physical state of the substance. MRI allows you to get acquainted with the data of hydrogen atoms, that is, the chemical structure of tissues.
MRI is more informative in case of intolerance to radiopaque substance, which is introduced at CT. Find out more information it allows for brain tumors, inflammation of the brain tissue, stroke, multiple sclerosis. In addition, he is prescribed for the staging of cancer.
CT, in turn, shows more information with intracranial hematomas, brain injuries, brain tumors, lesions of the skull base, paranasal sinuses and temporal bones. It is used for aneurysms, atherosclerosis, sinusitis, otitis, spine diseases, lung cancer, tuberculosis, etc. The procedure is particularly sensitive for the recognition of interstitial changes in the lung tissue, fibrosis and for the search for peripheral lung cancer at the preclinical stage.
In fact, each of these procedures is, in its own way, effec- tive. It is difficult to single out one of them. Usually, the preference for a given procedure is given depending on the existing problem. CT of the spine allows you to show a more complete picture of what is happening, rather than an MRI.
How is the CT of the spine carried out?
Do you know how to conduct a CT scan of the spine? The patient needs to lie down on a special table. During the study, he gradually enters the chamber of the apparatus of a cylindrical shape. Here are the X-ray emitter and sensor. In order to obtain a layered cut of tissues and organs, these "components" produce an arc around the patient. When one layer is received, the table shifts slightly and thus allows you to make another cut. The received information immediately arrives at the computer, where it is processed and combined with other images. In the final result, a complete picture of the layer of one or another organ at a certain depth is obtained.
It is important that during the study the patient is immobile. If a person is too excited, sedatives are taken.
When applying CT contrast medium, it is smoothly inserted into the vein of the patient. In addition, computed tomography can be performed after a study such as myelography, when a radiopaque substance is inserted into the spaces of the spinal canal. Thanks to this procedure, you can identify tumors or identify areas of inflammation or compression of the nerve roots.
Sometimes the patient is asked to hold his breath. This will get a clearer picture. Some people suffer from claustrophobia. Therefore, before the procedure, they are prescribed sedatives. On average, the CT of the spine lasts 30 minutes.
CT scan of the spine
Full information allows you to get CT scan of the spine. And in this case it is both about the smallest details, and serious changes in bone tissue.
This procedure allows you to identify the location, features of the structure of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, vertebral joints, accurately determine the diameter of the spinal canal, its shape, filling, symmetry, identify stenosis of the spinal canal, etc.
There are certain indications on which it is worthwhile to perform this procedure. So, CT allows to assess the quality of bone tissue, its rarefaction, defecs, proliferation of cartilaginous tissue, degeneration of intervertebral discs. Tomography diagnoses trauma, curvature of the spine, displacement of the vertebrae, infectious lesions and abscesses, congenital anomalies and tumor proliferation.
On average, the diagnosis does not take more than 5 minutes and special training is not required for such a procedure. CT of the spine can be performed in seriously ill patients, outpatient and inpatient.
No one experiences any sensations during the procedure. Serious complications after it are also not observed. Therefore, there are no special contraindications to the procedure, except for excess weight and pregnancy. With special care, CT of the spine is used in the presence of diabetes, severe kidney disease, as well as possible allergic reactions.
CT of the cervical spine
CT scan of the cervical spine allows to obtain transverse layered images of the spine, as well as to reveal insignificant differences in the density of normal and pathologically altered tissues.
Often this part of the spine is prone to degenerative-dystrophic processes. There are even several varieties of this phenomenon. These are hernias, protrusions, and a combination of these two phenomena together.
The study by this procedure is designed to study the structure and diagnosis of diseases of the spinal column at the level of the cervical region. Tomography is very clearly able to show the condition of the body and spines of the spinal canal, the spinal cord, and somewhat worse visualizes the intervertebral discs and ligaments. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to determine fractures, tumors, hematomas and other pathologies.
Usually CT of the spine of the cervical region is performed with a malignant tumor, hernias, vertebral development anomalies, osteoporosis, spinal cord hemorrhage, headaches, etc.
CT of thoracic spine
CT of the thoracic spine is performed in the presence of positive X-ray data, which allows the patient to suspect a lung tumor. In addition, it is used for neoplasm of the pleura, thoracic wall and mediastinum.
It is widely used for suspected metastatic lung damage. As a diagnosis of lymph nodes, CT is also performed. It is also used to clarify the prevalence, localization and character of the inflammatory organs of the chest in complex diagnostic cases.
In addition, the procedure is also carried out to assess the volume and character of traumatic changes and the detection of foreign bodies in the lungs and mediastinum. In general, the need for such a study should be confirmed by a doctor. After all, there are contraindications. They, though not persistent, but, nevertheless, can lead to unpleasant consequences. CT of the spine is one of the most common procedures for today, which allows you to see all the abnormalities of development and pathology.
CT of the lumbar spine
During CT scan of the lumbar spine, the X-ray beam is irradiated. This allows you to make a layer-by-layer snapshot of the tissues and thereby establish pathological changes. This method of diagnosis allows you to perfectly view the bone tissue and is one of the most accurate. On enlarged images, it is possible to view individual bony beams.
The result of tomography allows to draw a conclusion about the presence of degenerative, inflammatory and destructive processes, as well as abnormalities of development and circulatory disorders and tumors.
CT scan is suitable for studying the spinal column. But with the help of this technique, it is not possible to identify diseases of the soft tissues of the back well. X-ray beams are reflected in dense tissues, but they pass unhindered through any hollow structures, so that dense tissues in the pictures look like white areas of darkening, and hollow strokes are like dark enlightenment zones. CT is usually prescribed for diagnosis of diseases of the vertebral column itself.
Tomography in many cases is the best technique for detecting diseases of the spine. It is more accurate, because it is possible to obtain layered photographs. CT of the lumbar spine can detect diseases such as developmental anomalies in the lumbosacral spine, benign and malignant tumors, back injuries, destructive processes in the vertebrae, and others. At a CT of a backbone the dose of an irradiation small, therefore special contraindications for its or her carrying out is not available.
CT of the lumbosacral spine
CT of the lumbosacral spine shows the condition of the bone tissue of the vertebrae. In addition, thanks to this procedure, it is possible to see the lumen of the vertebral canal, the struc- ture of the terminal part of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
In a somewhat worse degree, the procedure shows disorders of the ligamentous apparatus and intervertebral discs. Thanks to it, it is possible to detect inflammation, destruction, trauma and neoplasms of all the above struktur. This is why this procedure is appointed to refine the radiography data in case of an unclear or questionable diagnosis. What allows to really look at the situation from the other side.
CT of the spine of the lumbosacral spine is prescribed for vertebral fractures, malignant and benign tumors, osteochondrosis, spondylosis, vertebral instability, spinal injury in rheumatic diseases, stenosis of the spinal canal and spinal cord hemorrhage.
CT of the spine with contrast
CT of the spine with contrast implies the introduction of a special substance into the human body. This procedure is used in rare cases, this allows to improve the visualization of the desired struktur. Usually, substances that are based on iodine are used as a substance. Naturally, people who are intolerant of this component, use this procedure in no case it is impossible.
The selected drug is injected into the vein and accumulates in the tissues, thus producing an improved visualization in the pictures. Particularly well the product penetrates into the richly blood-supplying organs and tissues. Therefore, the procedure is often used to identify pathological foci with increased blood flow. Usually these are areas of inflammation, as well as malignant neoplasms.
As for the contrast itself, one should not worry, it is completely eliminated from the human body after 1-1.5 days. He does not carry any danger, but only to people who have a normal reaction to iodine. CT of the spine, with contrast very demanded procedure.
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Contraindications CT of the spine
Contraindications CT of the spine are also available. First of all, this pregnancy. In this period, to expose a woman's body to X-ray irradiation is not worth it. Do not apply the procedure to people who have intolerance to preparations containing iodine. This is usually done for studies with contrast enhancement.
Particular emphasis is placed on people with obesity and large dimensions. No danger to their body is not, it's just a person is unlikely to fit into the apparatus of CT. There are other limitations, so this method should not be used when it is necessary to obtain a more detailed picture of the spinal cord. In this case, this can not be achieved. Therefore, we will have to resort to magnetic resonance imaging.
More detailed information regarding this procedure can be obtained at the clinic, where it will be conducted. CT of the spine allows you to see all the deviations and make a decision to eliminate the problem.
Decoding the results of CT of the spine
The interpretation of the results of CT of the spine is carried out exclusively by a specialist. Independently to understand, about what there is a speech it is practically impossible.
The results of the study are given to the patient immediately after it is completed. As a rule, these are pictures taken on one or several large format films, their description. If a person performed a three-dimensional tomography, then in addition to these data, a disc is given to him.
With the resulting conclusion, the patient returns to the treating doctor, who directs this procedure. The specialist reviews the images, studies them, reads the description and, on the basis of this, draws the appropriate conclusions. Thanks to this, it is possible to confirm or deny the presence of a disease.
As a rule, you can see the existing pathologies in the picture. But it is difficult for a person who does not have a proper education to understand this. Therefore, without deciphering a specialist, you can not do. CT of the spine allows you to identify many pathologies and begin to promptly eliminate them with the help of the latest techniques.
Where it is possible to make a CT of a backbone?
Do you know where you can make a CT scan of the spine? This procedure is done in any clinic that has the necessary equipment. This is mainly done in modern medical institutions. Naturally, computed tomography is not such an "old" procedure, so in many hospitals it is not so easy to find it.
Usually, patients wishing to undergo this procedure are sent in search of modern clinics. The thing is that there is new equipment here, which does not give any errors in practice. Moreover, the results of the study are not only recorded in the picture, but also recorded on a special disc. This measure helps to prevent a person from re-conducting the study, in case of loss of results.
Technology does not stand still. To date, there are not so few different complexes and equipment that allow for rapid diagnosis. But basically all this is in modern clinics. Therefore, CT of the spine is carried out directly in them.
Price of CT of the spine
The price of CT of the spine may vary depending on the clinic and its location. The cost and type of procedure affects. So it can be ordinary, or with the use of contrast medium, which significantly increases the amount.
The price of computed tomography also takes into account the research tasks. Much depends on the "area" in which research is being conducted. A large role is also played by the amount of work, the area and location of the scanning zone.
Do not forget that additional services may be included in the price. These include: the transfer of results to disk, duplication of pictures and others. Therefore, to specify the amount is at each clinic separately. On average in Ukraine the cost of the procedure starts from 400 UAH. In the Russian Federation, the price varies from 3 to 10 thousand rubles, depending on the "zone" of the study. In general, CT of the spine may indeed have a different cost, so it's best to specify everything in the chosen clinic.