X-ray examinations: methods of conducting and correct preparation of patients

One of the key conditions for the effective treatment of various diseases is accurate diagnosis. X-ray studies can be safely described as one of the most common and reliable methods for determining a specific problem of the body.

What are radiology research?

This type of research is based on the ability of x-rays to penetrate the body tissues. Depending on the density, thickness and physicochemical composition of human tissues and organs, the degree of X-ray absorption may vary.

For this reason, organs and tissues that are more dense (bones, large vessels, liver, heart) are displayed on the screen in the form of shadows, and, for example, lung tissue, due to the presence of a large volume of air, looks like a bright glow area.

Preparation for the research process

X-ray examinations are carried out for the purpose of accurate diagnosis of the patient's condition. And although, at first glance, there is nothing complicated in this process, some patients need to be prepared for it both physically and psychologically. Nurses, in turn, must master the technology of preparing patients for instrumental research. Therefore, it is important for patients themselves to pay attention to the fact that appropriate actions by medical personnel are carried out.

Preparing for a radiological study of the review type implies the elimination and prevention of any processes in a specific organ that can interfere with obtaining accurate results. For example, in the diagnosis of kidneys, the purpose of training will be cleaning the bowels and preventing gas formation in it. For this, in the evening before the day of the study and the morning of the next day, the patient is given a cleansing enema and restricts the intake of fluid. Also, the patient immediately before the procedure of radiography is prohibited from eating food and liquids.

The patient is taken to the X-ray study room one hour after the intestine has been emptied.

Intravenous urography - preparation

When the patient is prepared for X-ray studies, Implying intravenous urography, the aim is also to prevent gas formation and purification of the intestine. As evidence, diseases of the urinary system are determined. Contraindications include the setting of a cleansing enema and increased sensitivity to radiopaque substances that contain iodine.

At the same time, substances such as urotrans and verapegrains are used. A few days before the roentgenography, the following foods that have a gassing effect are excluded from the diet: apples, black bread, legumes, milk, etc. In the case of meteorism, the doctor usually appoints carbolenes. Take this drug 4 times a day for 2-3 tablets.

In the evening and in the morning the patient is given a cleansing enema, from the evening before the study, the intake of liquid is restricted. When the patient is delivered at the appointed time with a medical history to the study room, the nurse introduces an intravenous radiopaque substance.

When all the above stages of preparation are completed, X-ray studies are conducted. A similar algorithm of action has other preparatory measures, the purpose of which is gastric emptying and prevention of gas formation (cholecystography, GI tract research, etc.).

Studies of the stomach

Since a large part of the common diseases is related to the digestive system, a radiographic examination of the stomach is more than relevant. This type of diagnosis can be defined as an auxiliary, because it is used mainly for suspicion of gastritis. The illumination of the stomach makes it possible to accurately detect the presence of various anatomical pathologies and to assess the relief of the epithelium for the presence of tumors, hernias, ulcers and polyps in it.

Usually, X-rays are prescribed in case of symptoms such as stools, mild stomach pains and nausea, which worries on an ongoing basis. Preparation for radiographic examination of the stomach is as follows: 12-hour fasting with complete rejection of chewing gums and smoking, with the patient drinking a barium solution, sometimes - a solution with iodine, with which you can get a contrast image of the walls of the stomach in the pictures.

If we are talking about a patient who has a suspicion of an ulcer, then in this case the determining factor is the so-called niche. It is nothing but the filling of a defect caused by a ulcer, a contrast substance. X-ray examination of the stomach more accurately identifies the ulcer, when it is located on a small curvature. But pyloric and pre-piloric ulcers are much more difficult to detect. But the biggest percentage of errors in the diagnosis process occurs when ulcers of the subcardial stomach are detected. It is worth noting that in determining the evacuation capacity of the stomach, the X-ray examination exceeds the endoscopic value exactly.

Studies of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)

In this case, the x-ray is used to assess the state of the whole digestive system. X-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract is used to perform the following tasks:

- visualization of small morphological details (gastric fields including);

- study of motor function of the digestive tract;

- documented fixation of the information received regarding the detected changes, including the areas of rigidity of the wall.

In this case, the correct choice of the degree of compression, motility, optimal projection and the degree of filling for the target images is extremely important. The above tasks can be achieved with the additional use of serial sighting radiography after transmission, which has a high spatial resolution.

X-rays of light

The essence of this kind of X-ray research is reduced to obtaining images of the organs of the chest. Due to the uneven density of the ray passing through them, it is possible to form a summary picture of the state of the organs.

X-ray examination of the lung has the following indications for conduction: various diseases of the bronchi, lungs and trachea. These can be tumors, bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia and various occupational diseases. With this type of research, a doctor can obtain information about such organs as the heart, the diaphragm, and also the thoracic spine and ribs.

X-ray examination of the chest, which is one of the most popular, is focused on panoramic images, performed in two projections (straight and side) in a standing position.

If necessary, a tomography of the lung can be performed , which makes it possible to obtain several images that are produced at different depths of the pulmonary tissue. With the help of such pictures, the doctor will be able to study in more detail the pathological focus.

In contrast to the situation with the stomach, X-ray studies are the key method of qualitative diagnosis of the lungs, and in completely different areas of medicine (therapy, thoracic surgery, pulmonology and phthisiology).

Kidney research

The goal of X-rays in the case of kidneys is the effective evaluation of their morphological and functional characteristics, as well as the urinary tract. Such data allow to determine the size, position and shape of the organ, localization and presence of concrements, as well as the condition of the cup-and-pelvis system.

X-ray examination of the kidneys (with the use of contrast agents) is undesirable for patients who have a significant decrease in the function of this organ. To avoid the occurrence of any allergic reactions, it is necessary to find out whether such patients have previously performed similar studies and whether there were any side effects after the administration of the drugs.

If negative manifestations were not observed, then the patient's preparation for radiographic examinations should include a displacement using steroid hormones and antihistamines. It is also necessary to carry out a test for the patient's sensitivity to various iodine-containing drugs.

Contrast X-ray

Studying different methods of X-ray examination, this type of diagnosis, which is also called angiocardiography, also needs to be paid attention. Its purpose is to accurately determine the state of the chambers of the heart and its large vessels through special probes. This type of diagnosis, in principle, can be defined as a surgical procedure. This process takes place in the operating room, which has special equipment and located on the territory of cardiac surgery (due to the peculiarity of the procedure).

For carrying out X-ray studies of this type, it is necessary to take samples for the tolerability of antiseptics and iodine-containing preparations. The study itself should be performed on an empty stomach. Moreover, constant attention to the patient from the nurses' side is necessary, since the radiopaque substance introduced into the heart cavity can lead not only to early, but also to late complications.

It is important to know, That contrast radiology can cause symptoms such as heart rhythm disturbances, shortness of breath, lowering blood pressure, pain in the heart, weakness and general deterioration. In this case, you should immediately contact a nurse who, in turn, must inform the doctor of such changes in the patient's condition.

Diagnosis of the intestine

This part of the body, like others, also needs precise definition of negative changes in case of suspected development of any diseases. X-ray examination of the intestine is focused on determining the functional features and structure of both the thick and small intestine. During the study, the patient takes a contrast slurry (100 grams of water and 100 grams of barium sulfate). After 2.5 hours, the suspension enters the cecum. It is by the speed of the suspension transition into the given intestine (later or earlier than the indicated period) that the presence of any violations of the motor function can be determined.

In the case of the large intestine, the x-ray is produced after the suspension has filled the ascending compartment and the transverse colon. Such translucence can reveal the state of the relief, adhesions and narrowing in the diagnosed area.

Contrast radiography of the bronchi

The purpose of this study is to identify tumors in the bronchi, the cavity in the lung tissue and the expansion of this organ. The diagnostic process is carried out using a contrast medium, which is introduced into the cavity of the bronchi.

Preparation for bronchography includes premedication, carrying out a sample for the tolerability of preparations containing iodine, cleaning the bronchial tree (if purulent sputum was found), explaining the relevance and purpose of the forthcoming study to the patient, the necessary changes in the diet on the eve of radiography.

Since after the procedure of diagnosis, certain complications may arise, the patient is given special attention at the end of the transmission.

Research of the gallbladder

The purpose of this X-ray study is to determine the shape of the bladder itself, its deformation, position, degree of emptying and the presence of stones in it. With this diagnosis, an X-ray substance is also used, the concentration of which reaches a maximum after 10-15 hours from the time of administration.

In the case of intravenous injection of contrast medium, the study should be called intravenous cholegraphy. This method is used in cases where it is necessary to contrast intrahepatic bile ducts.

X-ray examinations of children

Initially, it should be noted that carrying out several diagnostic procedures using X-rays is not dangerous for children.

X-ray examination in childhood is performed in order to determine all life indications. It should also be noted that the potential risk of exposure to X-rays is significantly lower than the possible threat that will remain unnoticed in the absence of qualitative diagnostics.

X-ray examination system Applicable to Diagnosis of pregnant women and breastfeeding. As for possible harm, mothers who are breastfeeding have no cause for concern. In the case of women nursing a child, it is worth noting that the level of risk of examination using an X-ray largely depends on the type of procedure and the length of pregnancy.

conclusions

On the basis of the above information, it is not difficult to conclude that X-ray studies can help identify diseases that affect various organs and systems of the human body. For this reason, they can be considered one of the effective methods of modern diagnostics.