X-ray of the spine: what shows the preparation, how often you can take an x-ray. How and when x-rays are taken at home How x-rays are taken

At the moment, for the timely diagnosis of pathologies in the organs of the urinary system, various research methods are used according to the type of exposure. However, among all the diversity, it is the kidney x-ray that stands out, with the help of which you can comprehensively study the external structure and structure of paired organs. Since the procedure is associated with a direct effect of radiation on a living organism, it should be treated with extreme caution, adhering to important recommendations and rules for preliminary preparation.

How is a kidney x-ray done?

X-ray examination has three varieties, each of which has a special characteristic. The specialist prescribes a specific method depending on the symptoms of kidney diseases and the very nature of the pathology.

CT scan

CT is performed on special devices that also scan using x-rays. At the time of the procedure, layer-by-layer sections are transmitted to the computer, reflecting the diagnostic picture in more detail. How is tomography performed? A person, having left metal objects in a special room, conveniently settles down on a couch, which then slides into the annular opening of the tomograph.

They control the activity of the apparatus from an adjacent room, controlling the research process. When performing a CT session, it is necessary to exclude any movements that affect the clarity of the images. When the specialist gives a signal, you need to hold your breath for a few seconds. The person will also be notified of the end of the procedure.

Tomography does not require special training, it is often used specifically to identify the stage of development of tumor formations in the kidney area. It has a rather high price. During the session, a person receives a dose of radiation, which is several times higher than the portion of exposure to one survey X-ray.

One of the types of computed tomography machine

Plain radiography of the kidneys

We are talking about the usual black and white picture, which reflects the general condition of the abdominal cavity: the bones of the pelvis, kidneys, lower pairs of ribs and the lumbar spine. The study takes only a few minutes. After the patient takes off his clothes, bare to the waist, he will be asked to lie down on a special couch. Then a special cassette with film is installed between the body and the table.

When the picture is taken, if necessary, the specialist captures another image, but in a vertical position. The introduction of chemicals is not required. X-ray easily reveals dense stone elements of large caliber, located both in the kidneys and in the bladder. Before the procedure, it is recommended to clean the intestines from toxins.

Overview diagnostics often represents an additional manipulation in conjunction with ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.

X-ray with contrast agent

A similar type of diagnosis is used to visualize the smallest renal structures, namely the tubules, pelvis and calyces. It is carried out in specialized medical centers for adults and children when special indications are identified. There are several types of research.

Variety Features of the
Angiography Angiography involves the injection of contrast directly into the vessels responsible for the blood supply to the kidneys. In this case, only they are examined, and not the structural tissues of the urinary tract organs. X-rays of this kind are often used to study cancer formations, as well as to detect thrombosis and atherosclerosis. The procedure is performed under anesthesia. Only the doctor determines the type of anesthesia used - general or local
Intravenous or excretory urography An iodine-containing contrast agent, such as urografin, is injected into the body through a vein. A few minutes later, after it has penetrated into hard-to-reach renal areas, one x-ray (urogram) of several is made. Usually, only 3-4 images are taken per procedure, between which clear time intervals are established. An excretory urography session involves fixing a series of images of the renal system, which is carried out with the circulation of a contrast solution that illuminates all elements of the urinary tract. If a failure in urine output is detected in any area, an x-ray will detect this violation and capture it on one of the urograms
Infusion urography A distinctive feature of infusion urography is the slower injection of contrast, which allows you to visualize the renal calyces, pelvis and parenchymal tissue in detail. Also, this type of study is used in relation to children under 1 year old. This is due to the fact that the nephrons of babies are not yet mature enough: with a jet introduction of an iodine-containing solution into the body, the images will not be of good quality.
Direct pyelography The most accurate diagnosis, which can be carried out in 2 ways: 1. Antegrade. It involves the introduction of a solution directly into the kidney with an injection. Further, the substance passes through the urinary tract and, at the end of the session, is naturally excreted from the body along with urine. 2. Retrograde. The contrast is "let in" into the internal environment of the body through a special catheter installed in the urethra. The fluid, staining the urethra, bypasses the bladder with the ureters and enters the pores of the kidneys. In other words, a process is carried out that is the reverse of the antegrade one. To avoid infection, the retrograde method is not used in the presence of blood in the urine, as well as inflammatory foci.
Urostereoradiography It is rarely used in medical practice. At the time of the session, a person is made several consecutive x-rays, each time placing the x-ray tube 4-7 cm to the left and right. The resulting exposure is then viewed by a specialist through a special device - stereo binoculars, which can detect tuberculosis, nephrolithiasis, tumors, etc. Since the urine is constantly moving during the study, it is almost impossible to get the same pictures - this is the reason for the infrequent use of urostereoroentgenography
Percutaneous urography If doctors are unable to perform any of the above procedures on a particular patient, an alternative comes to the rescue - percutaneous urography. This technique consists in washing the pelvis with Furacilin and further introducing contrast using subcutaneous puncture (injection). As a rule, a simplified diagnosis is addressed after the discovery of specific contraindications in a person: obstruction of the ureters, hydronephrosis, etc.

Diagnosis with contrast can last from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the individual patient's performance. Under certain circumstances, a person will be offered to undergo the procedure in a standing position, but more often you have to lie down on a horizontal surface. Before the study, care should be taken to choose looser clothing. If one was not found in the wardrobe, doctors will most likely issue a special gown. X-ray, requiring the introduction of an iodine-containing solution, has a number of absolute contraindications.

  • hyperthyroidism;
  • allergy to the main component of the contrast - iodine;
  • pregnancy;
  • kidney failure;
  • heart failure;
  • lactation.

Fluoroscopy is a "live" study of organs when they are translucent with ionizing rays without obtaining any further pictures. The referral for this diagnosis is rarely given. Children, in turn, it is not assigned at all.

Features of children's x-ray

Since irradiation has an extremely negative effect on fragile children's organisms, X-rays are prescribed only in case of emergency. If such a dangerous disease as urolithiasis is under suspicion, children are first sent for an ultrasound scan. However, the absence of any ultrasound results is already a reason for issuing a referral for radiation diagnostics.


A few days before the examination, it is necessary to familiarize the child with the features of the procedure and the rules of conduct at the time of scanning.

Next to small children at the time of the study, there may be parents or other close relatives, who will be responsible for the immobility of the patient and his psychological calmness. Sometimes, in order to calm down, babies are given general anesthesia before the X-ray.

And in order to exclude an allergic reaction to certain components of the contrast agent, all children are given special antihistamines. Doctors select drugs in advance, based on the individual characteristics of patients.

What pathologies does the diagnosis show?

Radiation therapy is a fairly informative type of research; when using it, a specialist can see:

  • nephroptosis or prolapse of one of the kidneys;
  • polycystic and individual cysts;
  • urolithiasis;
  • the shape and location of kidney stones;
  • hydronephrosis;
  • glomerulonephritis;
  • benign and malignant tumors;
  • breaks in the ureters, kidneys or bladder;
  • pyelonephritis;
  • renal infarction;
  • congenital or acquired anomalies of the structure;
  • overlap of the ureters with a foreign formation or stone;
  • kidney tuberculosis, etc.

Indications for carrying out

The examination can and even needs to be carried out for patients who have such abnormalities as a suspicious smell of urine, chronic pain in the lumbar region, the presence of congenital malformations, the detection of pathological indicators in the blood test, swelling of the legs or eyelids, the presence of mucous, purulent or purulent secretions in the urine. bloody type, a manifestation of discomfort at the time of urination. This also includes damage to the bladder, trauma to the soft tissues that are located next to the kidneys.


An X-ray can be done by a person of any age with appropriate indications.

Study preparation

In order to obtain the most reliable data on the organs under study, it is necessary to stabilize the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract by excluding food that causes flatulence and bloating from the usual diet. Such phenomena affect the clarity of images, so this measure is a necessity.

For 2-4 days before a kidney x-ray, you should avoid eating certain foods:

  • tomatoes;
  • goose;
  • cabbage;
  • lamb;
  • pork;
  • kombucha;
  • dates;
  • radish;
  • raspberries;
  • sorrel;
  • carbonated water;
  • kiwi;
  • green onions;
  • kvass;
  • pears

Prohibited and restricted use:

  • muffins;
  • ice cream;
  • alcoholic beverages, including beer;
  • spinach;
  • legumes;
  • beans;
  • grapes;
  • apples
  • milk;
  • gooseberry;
  • peas;
  • confectionery;
  • mushrooms;
  • lentils.

In the presence of chronic constipation, laxatives should also be taken for 2-3 days. The most effective means are magnesium sulfate powder, Lavacol, Guttalax, Senade, Dufalac, Slabilen, Fortrans, Purgen, Lactuvit, Normaze, Prelaxan and Senadeksin. The last meal is recommended to be taken at 18-19 hours on the eve of the diagnosis, and in the morning, immediately before the X-ray, it is necessary to make an enema.


When preparing, you need to drink at least 6-7 glasses of pure water per day.

Possible consequences

If the patient underwent a procedure with the introduction of contrast, after a certain time, he may experience unpleasant symptoms: dizziness, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, rash, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, fever, general weakness. These reactions are rare and usually go away on their own after a few hours.

If they arose immediately after the end of the study, the doctor can provide first aid using the necessary tools that modern radiological rooms are equipped with. Long-term side effects should be a cause for concern. The patient should make an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible and describe the symptoms in detail in a private conversation.

X-ray alternatives

The main alternative research methods include multislice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. With their help, you can clarify the diagnosis of the patient.

Only the attending physician can prescribe one or another type of study. Self-medication in the presence of signs indicating kidney ailments is fraught with a direct threat to human health and life. Therefore, at the time of the manifestation of suspicious pain, it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist as soon as possible.

11.10.2015

In order to produce translucence with invisible X-rays and obtain a visible shadow picture of the body area under study, certain properties of X-rays and body tissues are used.

1. Ability of X-rays:

a) pass through the tissues of the body,

b) cause a visible glow of some chemicals.

2. The ability of tissues to absorb X-rays to some extent, depending on their density.

As already mentioned, X-rays have a very short wavelength of electromagnetic oscillations, as a result of which these rays have a penetrating ability through opaque bodies, in contrast to visible light. But in order for the x-rays that have passed through the area of ​​the body to be examined give a visible image, special intensifying screens for radiography are used. They are arranged as follows: they usually take white cardboard measuring 30 X 40 cm (sometimes smaller) and on one side of it a layer of a chemical is applied, which, when X-rays hit it, is capable of producing visible light. An intensifying screen is capable of converting X-ray energy in the invisible part of the electromagnetic spectrum into visible light. The most commonly used screens give a flash of green. They are called green-emitting, and the corresponding X-ray film is called . Green-sensitive intensifying screens for radiology are made from the rare earth element - gadolinium.

When X-rays hit the intensifying screen, it begins to glow with a visible green light. X-rays themselves do not glow. They still remain invisible and, having passed through the screen, spread further. The screen has the property to glow the brighter, the more x-rays hit it.

If now between the X-ray tube and the translucent screen we put some object or place some part of the body, then the rays, having passed through the body, will fall on the screen. The screen will begin to glow with visible light, but not equally intense in its various parts. This is due to the fact that the tissues through which the X-rays have passed have an unequal density and a different composition of chemical elements. The higher the density of the tissue, the more it absorbs X-rays and, conversely, the lower its density, the less it absorbs the rays.

As a result, the same number of rays travel from the X-ray tube to the object under study over the entire surface of the illuminated area of ​​the body. Having passed through the body, from its opposite surface, a much smaller amount of x-rays comes out, and their intensity in different areas will be different. This is due to the fact that, in particular, bone tissue absorbs rays very strongly compared to soft tissues. As a result of this, when X-rays that have passed through the body in an unequal number hit the screen, we will have different intensity or degree of luminescence of individual sections of the screen. The areas of the screen where the bone tissue is projected will either not glow at all, or very weakly. This means that the rays do not reach this place as a result of their absorption by the bone tissue. This is how the shadow is made. In radiology, it is customary to call everything the other way around, as with inversion. Therefore, the shadow on the radiograph will be white.

The same areas of the screen where soft tissues are projected glow brighter, since soft tissues retain less X-rays that have passed through them, and more rays will reach the screen. Thus, soft tissues, when translucent, give partial shade. In reality, these areas will be gray.

Areas of the screen that are outside the border of the object under study glow very brightly. This is due to the hit of rays that passed by the object under study and were not delayed by anything. In reality, the film in these places is bright black.

As a result of transillumination, thus, we get a differentiated shadow picture of the body area under study, and this differentiated picture on the screen is obtained from different tissue transparency in relation to X-rays.

To save the intensifying screens (front and rear) from mechanical damage, it is placed in an opaque plastic box -. It is closed with two locks. For better contact between the screens and the X-ray film between them, an easily crushable material such as foam can be used under one of the screens. The front wall of the cassette contains a material, most often aluminum, which filters the long-wavelength X-ray spectrum. The back wall of a good cassette does not transmit x-rays.

To detect various pathological changes, it is necessary to train the eye to see subtle changes in tissues and organs, which sometimes give very weak and delicate shadows. These changes can only be seen when the pupils are maximally dilated in the dark and the eye is able to perceive these weak light stimuli. In order for the eyes to become accustomed to distinguishing small details of the shadow picture, it is necessary to stay in the dark before the start of translucence from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the person. Some adapt faster, others slower.

When the distance between the screen and the ray tube doubles, the degree of X-ray exposure decreases by a factor of four, and vice versa. With a decrease in this distance by 2 times, the area of ​​illumination decreases by 4 times and the degree of X-ray exposure increases by the same amount.

In the production of translucence of various parts of the body on the radiograph, we observe the most diverse shadow picture.

Transillumination of the extremities gives the simplest shadow image, since the density of tissues in these areas has a large difference between them. On the one hand, very dense bone tissue, on the other hand, the soft tissue surrounding it has a much lower and uniform density. When translucent, thus, a dense shadow of the bone and a homogeneous penumbra of soft tissues are obtained.

Transillumination of the head gives a complex shadow pattern, where the shadows of individual sections of bones of varying intensity are mixed with the shadows of soft tissues, and the pattern is heterogeneous. Separate, more intense stripes of bones on the general background of the pattern have different directions. In order to understand this complex interweaving of shadows, it is necessary to know not only normal anatomy, but also normal X-ray anatomy, that is, this part of the body in healthy people. And only in this case it will be possible to judge the presence of pathological changes in the x-ray picture.

We get the most complex shadow pattern on the screen when transilluminating the chest. On the radiograph, an image of the total shadow pattern from the object, which has a significant thickness, is obtained. But since almost the entire bulk of the fabric has a low density, with the exception of the ribs, the shadow pattern on the screen is very delicate, openwork, with many different intensities of penumbra. This pattern is created both by the lung tissue and by the interlacing of the vascular-bronchial branches. It is even more difficult to understand this drawing. You need to have a lot of experience to establish the presence of subtle structural changes in the lung tissue.

The closer the tube is to the object, the larger the shadow on the screen will be. This is because the x-rays come from a narrow section of the anode plate and diverge in the form of a wide cone. As a result of this, the shadow of the translucent object will be much larger than the true size.

The farther we move the tube from the object under study with the screen, the more the shadow will decrease and approach the true size, since the farther the tube, the more parallel the rays passing through the object.

The second position is no less important. The closer an object is to the screen, the smaller, denser and sharper its shadow. And, conversely, the farther the screen is from the object, the larger its shadow will be, less clear and dense. For this reason, even during transillumination, it is necessary to bring the screen close to the surface of the body, otherwise we will not get a clear image of the shadow pattern of the area under study.

When transilluminating, it is also important to position the tube relative to the screen so that the central beam falls perpendicular to the screen surface. This will give the most correct shadow image of the area under study. If this rule is not observed, the image of the true picture is distorted and will give an idea of ​​the presence of a pathology, although there is none. When translucent (head, neck, torso), it is necessary to attach the cassette to the body from the diseased side, and install it on the opposite side

X-ray film is very sensitive to visible light, so it is stored in special cardboard boxes. The inside of the film is packaged in light and waterproof bags that do not let visible light through. Typically, a box of any size contains 100 pieces of films.

Factories produce X-ray films in standard sizes: 13X18 cm, 18X24, 24X30, 30X40, 35X35, 35X43 cm. Films are packed in packs of 100 pieces, which, in turn, are packed in cardboard boxes of 5 packs. Due to the presence of heavy silver in the film, the weight, for example, of a 30X40 cm film box is 19 kg.

X-ray film is double-sided, the photosensitive layer is applied both on one side and on the other side. The composition of the photosensitive layer includes gelatin and silver bromide. The basis of the film is a celluloid plate.

Before taking a picture, the cassette is loaded with x-ray film in a special, at. The cassette should be taken the same size as the film. In this case, the film completely occupies the recessed area of ​​the cassette. In the absence of red light, he can touch the film placed in an open cassette with his finger and tap the film against the walls of the cassette. This ensures that the film is in place and that the cassette can be snapped into place.

The cassette is loaded as follows: a box with films of the required size is opened, the cassette is opened, one film is pulled out of the box and placed in the recess of the cassette, then the cassette is closed. In this form, a loaded cassette can be brought into the light. In the cassette, the film is reliably protected from visible light.

To take a picture, the , the object, and the loaded cassette must be properly positioned. During X-ray exposure, the cassette is pressed against the subject with its front side. In the process of taking a picture, which lasts either a fraction of a second or several seconds, depending on the thickness of the object and the model of the X-ray machine, we will not see any image, however, a picture will be recorded on the film inside the cassette, depending on the density of the area through which the X-ray has passed.

When taking a picture, X-rays, having passed through the body and the front wall of the cassette, act on the double-sided X-ray film, causing corresponding changes in its light-sensitive layers. Silver bromide molecules undergo changes under the action of X-rays. Silver bromide turns into subbromide. Since the number of rays that hit different parts of the film will be different, the amount of subbromide silver on them will also be different. Moreover, in those areas where more rays hit, there will be more of it; on the same, where fewer rays fell, less.

These changes are not visible to the eye, and if after the picture the x-ray film is removed from the cassette in the photo room, then the film will be exactly the same as before the picture, i.e., a latent image of the area being filmed is obtained on the film. To make the resulting image visible, the removed film must be processed in a special way.

Two intensifying screens are required because they act by visible light, which is unable to penetrate the thick emulsion layer. Therefore, each screen acts with its glow, caused by X-rays, only on the side of the film layer with which it is located. And since the film is double-sided, in order to obtain the same intensity pattern on both sides of the film, it is necessary to have two intensifying screens in the cassette.

They are called intensifying because their visible glow greatly increases the light effect of X-rays on the film. Modern intensifying screens have such an intensity of luminescence that they increase the light effect on the film up to 20 times on average. Special screens amplify even up to 40 times. This means that if it takes 10-20 seconds to take a picture of any part of the body on a cassette without intensifying screens, then using these screens, we can reduce the shutter speed when taking a picture to 0.5-1 second or less.

It should be noted that the different thicknesses of the front and rear intensifying screens also have a certain ground under them. This takes into account the property of the screens themselves to absorb a certain amount of X-rays that have passed through them.

If we assume that the thickness of the front and rear intensifying screens is the same, then as a result of the absorption of a certain number of rays by the front screen, a smaller number of rays will fall on the rear screen. And if this is so, then its glow will be weaker and the pattern on the photosensitive layer on this side of the film will be paler. It is not profitable. When the thickness of the luminous layer of the rear screen is 2 times greater, then this screen will glow the same as the front one, even if the number of rays falling on its surface is 2 times less.

A greater glow of the rear screen is obtained due to the greater amount of gadolinium that glows from the action of X-rays.


Tags: How an x-ray is taken
Description for announcement:
Start of activity (date): 10/11/2015 19:43:00
Created by (ID): 6
Key words: How an x-ray is made, x-rays, intensifying screens, radiography, green-emitting, x-ray film, green-sensitive, Green-sensitive intensifying screens, radiology, gadolinium, x-ray tube, bone tissue, x-ray, x-ray cassette, x-ray anatomy, chest, x-ray machine, 13X18 , 18X24, 24X30, 30X40, 35X35, 35X43 cm, darkroom, red light, X-ray technician

x-ray

Modern devices significantly differ from previous models not only in external data and quality of research. The radiation dose in new devices is several times lower. So that the patient is not subjected to additional exposure to X-rays, immediately to the doctor's computer, and he can carefully examine him. Therefore, X-rays should be taken only in a reliable clinic, which is equipped with modern safe devices.

There is no such thing as a "maximum allowable dose", since x-rays are only for medical reasons. When it comes to a patient's life, they do as many procedures as necessary. Fluorography gives more radiation than x-rays. Another X-ray is done during a dental examination, where the radiation dose is very small.

Of course, X-rays cause some harm to the body, but often this is the best or even the only way to detect a serious disease in time, such as tuberculosis or breast cancer.

Remedies

The protective function is performed by a screen that stands between the x-ray tube and the patient. During the procedure, it is necessary to use protective equipment with layers of lead. These are the so-called "skirts", "hats", "aprons". If an x-ray is taken for a child, it is necessary to shield the entire body of a small patient.

Radiography is a certain type of study of the internal systems and organs of the human body. When it is carried out, a projection of the area under study is created on a film or on special paper. This is facilitated by x-rays. Based on such a projection, certain conclusions can be drawn by a specialist.

Radiography is the first method of medical imaging. It allows you to obtain images of organs and tissues for their study during the life of the patient.

Radiography is a diagnostic method that was discovered by the German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895. He registered the ability of X-ray radiation to darken a photographic plate.

Description of the diagnostic method

What is radiography based on? This study is made possible by the high penetrating power of X-rays, which are created by the sensor of a special device.

Such radiation passes through the tissues of the human body. At the same time, it not only ionizes cells, but also lingers in them. The volume of such presence of X-rays in tissues is different. This allows a black-and-white image of the area under study to appear on the film. Bone tissue is more radiopaque. That is why in the pictures her image appears in bright colors. The dark areas of the film represent soft tissue. These zones absorb x-rays very poorly.

It is clear that radiography is the study of three-dimensional objects. However, on film, all images are flat. In this regard, pictures are taken at least in 2 projections. This allows you to accurately locate the focus of pathology.

Advantages of the technique

What are the benefits of organ radiography? They are as follows:

Ease of conducting research;
- wide availability of the method;
- no need (in most cases) for special training of patients;
- relatively low cost (except for studies, the results of which are obtained in digital form);
- the absence of operator-dependence, which contributes to the consideration of the obtained data by specialists at ongoing consultations.

Negative aspects of the technique

Despite the fact that radiographic studies are widespread in modern medicine, they still have some disadvantages:

The resulting image is “frozen”, which greatly complicates the diagnosis of the functioning of internal organs;
- X-rays have a harmful ionizing effect on the human body;
- the results obtained are of low information content when compared with the latest tomographic methods;
- when examining soft tissues, it becomes necessary to use special contrast agents.

The prevalence of the method

Thanks to the discovery of X-ray radiation, medicine managed to make a significant breakthrough in the field of diagnosing a huge number of diseases that, before the discovery of the German physicist, were detected only at a late stage, which made it difficult or impossible to treat the disease.

To date, X-rays can be done in most clinics and hospitals, where there is special equipment. With the help of the study, the diagnosis is clarified in the shortest possible time and the necessary treatment plan is drawn up.

In addition, the doctor sends his patients for x-rays in order for them to undergo a preventive examination. Sometimes this contributes to the diagnosis of serious pathologies at the earliest stages of their development. The most famous and common type of such a study is fluorography. The purpose of its implementation lies in the possibility of early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Classification

There are various methods of X-ray examination, which differ from each other in the way of fixing the resulting image. So, allocate:

1. Classical radiography. It allows you to get an image by direct hit of ionizing rays on the film.

2. Fluorography. When applying this type of technique, the image falls on the monitor screen, from which it is printed on a small format film.

3. Digital x-ray. The result of this study is a black and white image. The picture is on a digital medium.

4. Electroroentgenography. In this study, the image falls on special plates, and then transferred to paper.

5. Teleroentgenography. This study involved a special television system that displays the image on the TV screen.

6. Fluoroscopy. With this technique, the desired zone can be viewed on a fluorescent screen.

Digital radiography most accurately reflects the picture of the study area. This technique greatly facilitates the diagnosis. And this allows you to more accurately choose a treatment regimen.

Object of research

Depending on which organ or system is to be diagnosed, the following research options are distinguished:

Radiography of the spinal column, as well as limbs;
- chest;
- teeth (intraoral, extraoral, orthopantomography);
- mammary gland (mammography);
- large intestine (irrigoscopy);
- duodenum and stomach (gastroduodenography);
- gallbladder and biliary tract (cholecystography and choleography);
- uterus (metrosalpinography).

Indications

A doctor sends his patients to X-ray, as well as to other X-ray examinations. He does this only if there are indications, of which there are a great many. The main ones are:

Carrying out diagnostics of pathologies of internal organs and skeleton;
- checking the effectiveness of the treatment and determining its negative consequences;
- control of installed tubes and catheters.

Contraindications

Before referring a patient to an x-ray, the doctor must necessarily find out if the patient has serious reasons not to undergo this study. And it can not be carried out with the following pathologies and conditions:

Active forms of tuberculosis;
- dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
- the general serious condition of the patient;
- pregnancy (women who are expecting a baby, x-rays are performed only if there are vital indications);
- breastfeeding (in cases where a contrast agent is required);
- renal and heart failure (a contraindication also applies to contrasting);
- bleeding;
- allergies to substances containing iodine (if necessary, the introduction of contrast elements).

Deciphering the results

How to correctly read the obtained projections of radiography? This can only be done by a specialist with the necessary qualifications. Such work cannot be done by a person ignorant in this area.

Those images that are the result of radiography are negatives with light areas of denser body structures and dark areas, which indicates the presence of soft tissues in this place. Decoding of each area of ​​the body is done according to certain rules. So, when considering a chest x-ray, a specialist should evaluate the relative position, as well as the structural features of the heart, lungs and mediastinum. In addition, the clavicles and ribs are examined for cracks and fractures. All obtained parameters are evaluated based on the age of the patient.

In order to make a final diagnosis, the doctor, as a rule, one picture is not enough. It is possible to establish the presence of pathology, in addition to radiography, based on the data of the examination, the survey, as well as the results of various instrumental and laboratory methods of examination.

X-ray of the spine

Often a doctor sends his patient to study this part of the body in case of injuries and to make the necessary diagnosis. Radiography of the spine is considered the most conservative method. It does not require any prior preparation to carry it out.

Radiography of the spine can give an objective picture only if it is performed in two projections. The first x-ray should be taken with the patient in the supine position. The second is lateral. This is a picture of the lumbosacral region.

X-ray of the spine is performed when pain occurs in the back. In case of emergency, such a procedure is carried out at home.

The reason for the study of the cervical spine are severe headaches, as well as dizziness with quick turns of the neck. Perform such fluoroscopy in two projections. Often, in order to obtain more detailed information, pictures are taken through the patient's open mouth.

Indications for performing radiography of the thoracic spine are pain in the chest that occurs when bending or turning. A distinctive feature of such a study is to take a picture in three projections: from the side, back and front.

In order for a survey radiography of the coccyx and lumbosacral region to be performed, preparatory measures will be required. First of all, this is a diet that must be followed for several days (usually two) prior to the examination. It consists in the exclusion from the daily diet of those foods that provoke gas formation in the intestines. The patient in this case should not eat cabbage and potatoes, eat rye bread, milk and beans.

The studies themselves are performed only on an empty stomach and with a cleansed intestine. If the patient is not properly prepared, accumulations of intestinal gases that do not pass X-rays can give a fuzzy picture of the study area.

The result of the transillumination will be a picture in which the specialist will be able to see the pathologies of the spine that a person has. These are osteochondrosis and vertebral hernia, tuberculosis of the spine, its curvature, etc.

Joint research

Often, a doctor needs to make a diagnosis for existing disorders of the osteoarticular apparatus. For this, the patient is prescribed x-ray of the joints. Only in the images obtained in the course of such a study, one can see such signs of pathology:

Calcium deposition zones;
- bone growths that occur at the edge of the cartilage;
- Violations of the conformity of the surfaces of the joints.

X-rays help the doctor identify problems for an accurate diagnosis, as well as determine the type of treatment and plan it.

Your doctor may order an X-ray:

Ankle joint;
- knee joint;
- hip joint;
- elbow joint;
- shoulder joint;
- temporomandibular joint.

X-ray of the stomach

This method of research allows to identify numerous diseases of this important digestive organ, as well as the presence of its functional disorders.

X-ray of the stomach helps to determine:

peptic ulcer;
- malignant and benign neoplasms;
- diverticula (protrusion of the wall of this organ in the form of a bag).

Radiography of the stomach helps to determine its size and position, the integrity of the wall, and many other parameters. In order to examine this hollow organ, a contrast procedure is required. Barium salts suspended in water are used as a substance that does not transmit X-rays. Sometimes gas serves as a contrast.

Lung research

This diagnostic method, in addition to general indications, is applied to a certain category of the population. These are, for example, people who are constantly experiencing conditions of harmful production: masons and miners, workers in the chemical industry, etc.

X-ray of the lungs reveals:

Pneumonia of the lungs;
- hydrotax (accumulation of fluid in the pulmonary tract with cirrhosis of the liver, ascites, heart failure);
- pneumothorax (mechanical damage to lung tissue);
- chronic diseases (atypical pneumonia, silicosis, tuberculosis, lupus erythematosus, etc.).

Only the radiography performed will allow timely recognition of the onset of the above pathologies and the selection of the necessary course of treatment.