Tomography of the spine - modern diagnosis of diseases of the back

Computer tomography is much more effective than conventional radiography. It allows you to see not only the external changes in the spine, but also get a high-quality image (if necessary with the introduction of contrast) sections of the vertebral column with a thickness of not more than 4-5 mm.

Such data are obtained by irradiating a human body (the necessary site) with radioactive particles that pass through the tissues and transmit to the horizontally located sensors the density of each individual piece of the object under study. The computer program collects all the data from the sensors and connects them through complex processing, providing a complete picture of the damage or disease in the form of a voluminous photograph. It can be represented in a three-dimensional dimension, and if necessary, the specialist will be able to approximate and enlarge individual parts of the organ.

This type of examination allows you to see with maximum accuracy the affected areas of bones or cartilage, as well as possible damage to the spinal cord that passes in the spinal canal.

Tomography of the spine can take place with the introduction of contrast and without it. In the first case, the patient is told about additional conditions and the possible consequences of introducing the substance into the body (vomiting, headache, discomfort in the mouth). Often, tomography, in fact, as well as MRI, is performed with the additional administration of anesthetics. This is done in the case of severe pain in the patient, since for examination immobility is the main condition. To this, it must be added that the patient should not have any metal objects that, like movement, can distort the results of the survey.

The advantage of CT is the possibility of its appointment to people with excess weight, which involves a more detailed examination and provides timely detection of problems.

After the examination, the information reaches the attending physician, who determines the severity of the disease and prescribes appropriate treatment according to the diagnosis. Here it is worth noting that on the basis of tomography, one can make a conclusion about the expediency of surgical intervention and the degree of its urgency.

Computer tomography of the spine is assigned to clarify the diagnosis after routine radiography in the case of an intervertebral hernia or suspicion of a tumor and its metastases, as well as to detect clamping of the nerve roots or compression fracture. The study can be assigned to identify a segment for surgical intervention for the same diseases, and also after an operative intervention to check the quality of the work performed and the degree of healing (whether all metastases and tumors are removed and so on).

MRI and its difference from CT

There is another method similar to computed tomography . This is magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. After this method began to be used in clinical practice, CT scans were less often used to minimize radiation dose. The MRI device is based on the capture of a signal that is responsive to the magnetic field generated by the device. All parts of the body, including bones, muscles, tissues and liquid, have a different set of hydrogen atoms, which in turn have different characteristics. They can be distinguished by an MRI device. The computer, having received a similar set of data, deciphers them and forms a single picture of the disease.

Indication for the survey

Tomography of the spine is performed for the detection of intervertebral hernias, the detection of scoliosis or osteoporosis. Here you can get results about the growth of cartilaginous tissue or about spinal injuries (compression fractures, bruises or anomalies in vertebral discs or cartilages). In addition, MRI is used to study muscles and ligaments, as well as cartilage and brain. To see the vessels and liver in detail, they use contrast, which is introduced into the body through a catheter.

MRI is widely used in neurology and neurosurgery. Such equipment saves lives for many people, because timely identified problems, initial stages of violations, old injuries that began to make themselves felt, can be cured or deleted, and this significantly prolongs human life.

Studies such as tomography of the spine and MRI, appoint a doctor. It is he who makes the conclusion about the expediency of carrying out these surveys, and also decides which of the two is most suitable for the patient.