This procedure can be applied to all sections of the spinal cord. X-rays of the lumbosacral spine in need of preparatory treatment in compliance with the simple rules.
In diseases of the spine among population requires accurate diagnosis of these pathologies.
And, despite the emergence of new informative diagnostic methods, radiography remains the most common examination of the musculoskeletal system, including spine.
What is the essence of radiography
The method is based on the ability of the tissues to varying degrees, to skip x-rays, which are recorded on a special film placed behind the patient’s body. Front is a source of radiation – x-ray tube. Bone structures allow less rays, so the film has a whitish color. Soft tissues and organs containing air (intestines, lungs), give a more dark shade on the film. Since a radiograph is a negative image, the bright elements on it radiologists are called blackouts, and dark with enlightenment.
Advantages of x-ray:
- accessibility;
- cheap;
- ease of implementation;
- informative when evaluating bone structures.
The shortcomings of the radiographic method:
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- the relatively low informative value when rendering the muscles, discs, ligaments, soft tissues;
- difficulties in the assessment of the structure of the intervertebral discs;
- the detrimental effect of x-rays.
Herniated discs can be difficult to diagnose using classical x-rays, so it is best to conduct MRI diagnostics.
When necessary x-rays of the spine
Indications for x-rays of the lumbosacral spine are:
- traumatic injuries;
- deformation of the spinal column;
- pain in the lumbar region and sacrum;
- a feeling of numbness, paresthesias in the lower limbs, cramps of the leg muscles;
- primary or secondary (metastatic) malignant processes in the bones of the spine;
- benign tumors of the vertebrae;
- suspected rheumatic disease affecting the spine (e.g. ankylosing spondylitis);
- infection of the spine (tuberculosis, syphilis, osteomyelitis);
- diagnosis before and after surgery;
- control the dynamics of the disease in the course of treatment;
- congenital abnormalities of the spine.
Testimony defines primary care physician, neurologist, orthopedic trauma, or spine. To pass x-ray data specialists will give you a direction, which indicate the area of the spine and are required to complete the study projection.
Found effective remedy for pains and for the treatment of joints:
- natural composition,
- with no side effects
- efficiency, proven expert,
- a quick result.
Contraindications to the x-ray
Despite the many advantages of this method, x-rays of the lumbosacral spine has a number of contraindications:
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- children up to 14 years (simply the testimony of a doctor);
- movement disorders;
- mental status with sudden excitement;
- a high degree of obesity;
- held on the eve of x-rays using barium.
These contraindications can be relative, especially when different way to make a diagnosis is not possible. If we are talking about the overweight or the inability to achieve a fixed position of the body during radiographic studies, to high-quality image is hardly obtained. In this situation, you should consider alternative diagnostic methods.
How to prepare for the x-rays of the lumbar spine
X-rays of the lumbar and sacral spine needs careful preliminary events, unlike other sections of the spinal cord. Their implementation needs with the aim of obtaining high-quality images and informative. If you do not follow the rules, the doctor will not be able to reliably estimate the results of the study, therefore, the patient was doing it in vain. In this case, it is necessary to re-x-ray, and this additional exposure. Therefore, it is better when getting directions from the doctor to know how to prepare for the x-rays of the lumbar spine. The specialist will define a set of necessary procedures.
You can use the following rules:
To start preparing for x-rays you need 3 days before the study.
Should follow a diet that excludes legumes, raw vegetables and fruit, rye bread, sweets, soda, milk. Diet is necessary to reduce the processes of formation and accumulation of gases in the intestines that make it difficult the visualization of the spine.
During the next meal to drink a single dose of enzyme preparation (Kreon, Mezim, Mangrol) according to its instruction for better digestion.
After eating recommended the use of sorbents (Activated carbon, Sorbex), or carminative drugs (Espumizan), which help to reduce the accumulation of gases in the intestine.
The last meal the evening before before x-ray is allowed no later than 19 hours. The procedure is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach.
12 hours before the study is conducted in the evening a cleansing enema, which should be repeated in the morning. If possible, you should take one dose of a laxative drug (Guttalaks, Bisacodyl) in the evening.
The day of the procedure you must stop Smoking. To reduce anxiety and muscle tremor some experts recommend receiving a sedative sedatives (Valerian extract, Alora, Persen) for 3-4 days before x-rays.
The methodology of the study
The procedure itself is painless and lasts about 10-15 minutes. First, the patient must remove all jewelry and metal objects, to be naked above the waist. The chest and neck area close shielding material to reduce the negative effects of radiation on internal organs.
Important! During the survey, patients should remain stationary. This allows to achieve high quality images and help the physician in interpreting the results.
A study performed when the patient sits or lies on the x-ray table. In this position doing x-rays of the lumbar spine in two projections: lateral and frontal. In any case, the correct position determines the x-ray technician or radiologist.
Functional radiography of the lumbar spine: how to make
Sometimes you need an x-ray using functional tests to assess the mobility of individual segments of the spine. Functional type of x-ray is carried out after a conventional x-ray. The situation may be different. The most commonly used attitude on the side with the maximum possible for the patient in extension and flexion. You may need images of sitting and standing. It is important to correctly choose the position of the patient and tilt the most x-ray tube.
How do x-ray bedridden and elderly patients
For all the General accessibility of a method (can be done in the clinic with x-ray office, in the hospital) in some patients there is no possibility to do x-rays in a medical institution. In this case, a mobile (or portable) devices, which deliver directly to your home and conduct x-ray examination. However, the quality of the images obtained by this method is inferior to stationary devices.
The results of x-ray
That shows the understanding can only answer specialist in the field of radiology, although often tentative conclusions able to make a doctor of any specialty. After the examination x-ray (film) in conventional radiography or image file on an electronic medium in digital technique is sent to the doctor-radiologist. It evaluates the condition of the bone tissue of the vertebrae, joints, lumbosacral region, determines the degree of deformation, describes additional education and osteophytes.
When x-rays clearly visible bone structure, in contrast to ligaments and soft tissues. The patient is given a description of a picture, doctor. With them, he goes to your family doctor who puts the final diagnosis and prescribes treatment.
Safety of the method and frequency of its holding
X-rays are absorbed by the tissues, causing a photochemical reaction that leads to disruption of cells. Therefore, there are limitations to the frequency of the survey. For different areas of the body radiation exposure is different. So, for radiography of the lumbar radiation dose is 0.7 mSv in film technique, and 10 times less than in digital. Permissible dose think 1 mSv/year and a maximum of 5 mSv.
After a single examination of direct harm will not be, but the systematic excess of the permissible standards possible long-term effects: cancer processes, developmental abnormalities in the offspring.
Thus, radiography of the spine is a very valuable method of diagnosis of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. A qualified technician will help to properly interpret the. And the patient need only one thing – high-quality preparations for x-ray of the spine in the lumbosacral region, which is important for accurate assessment of the result of the study.