MSCT of the mediastinum. Advantages of spiral and multislice computed tomography. How does a tomograph work?

The research is used in many areas of medicine. Indications for MSCT of the chest are quite extensive. The procedure allows you to diagnose pathologies and dysfunctions:

mediastinum;
ribs;
bronchi;
mammary glands;
lungs;
esophagus;
aorta and other vessels;
lymphatic system.

Multislice computed tomography of the chest makes it possible to identify a large number of diseases. Most often it is used to confirm or refute the following ailments:

emphysema;
pulmonary infarction;
hypertension;
aortic aneurysm;
pneumothorax;
lung cancer;
heart failure;
lymphadenopathy;
pulmonary embolism;
infectious diseases(tuberculosis, pneumonia, pleurisy).

The study allows you to most accurately identify the location, size, nature and prevalence of tumors. MSCT can be used both to diagnose the disease and to evaluate the effectiveness of its treatment. How is the research going? MSCT of the chest organs does not require preliminary preparation from the patient. There is no need to change your usual rhythm of life or follow a special diet. The study usually takes about 20 minutes.

Before starting the procedure, the patient is asked to remove all metal jewelry. These items may skew the results of the study. Unlike magnetic resonance imaging, MSCT can be performed on people who have metal implants or electronic devices in their bodies.

Next, the patient is asked to lie down on a special couch and remain motionless throughout the examination. The procedure is absolutely painless. After completing the study, the person can immediately go home or go about their business.

Contraindications

With MSCT, the patient receives minimal radiation exposure, which allows us to speak about the absolute safety of the study. However, there is a group of people for whom this procedure is contraindicated:

women during pregnancy;
patients whose age is less than 14 years;
persons suffering from hepatic or renal failure;
people with an allergy to iodine (if necessary, use of contrast).

MSCT (multispiral computed tomography) of the chest organs allows you to clearly visualize the features of the lung tissue, as well as the condition of the mediastinum. The mechanism for obtaining images is that when an X-ray beam passes through the human chest cavity in a thin slice of 1 mm, a planar image appears on the computer monitor.

The technique involves obtaining several slices at a certain level. 3D modeling allows you to create a three-dimensional image based on the obtained images and study the state of the pulmonary system with the maximum degree of accuracy. There is no better diagnostic test.

MSCT is a fairly high-quality technique, but it is characterized by increased radiation exposure. As a result, multislice computed tomography of the chest organs is prescribed only when absolutely necessary.

Indications for testing

suspicion of cancer;
traumatic chest injuries;
tumors of the lungs and mediastinum;
bleeding from the chest cavity.

X-ray examination using X-rays is mandatory if cancer is suspected. With its help, it is possible to identify pathology in the early stages and prevent human death.

MSCT in oncology is also used to determine the dynamics of therapy after chemotherapy or radiation exposure. The diagnostic capabilities of the method help not only to exclude cancer, but also to provide possible information for high-quality surgical treatment.

If necessary, X-ray diagnostics can be supplemented with contrast techniques. With them, iodine is administered intravenously. In this case, the substance enters the vessels of the heart and the superior vena cava.

MSCT is also used in medical institutions to detect stroke or cerebral infarction.

How is diagnosis done?

Multislice computed tomography does not require special preparation compared to magnetic resonance imaging. But with both procedures, it is necessary to remove metal objects, since metals will attract a magnetic field and distort the results of the study.

At computed tomography metals also interfere with the passage of X-rays through the human body. Any implanted device and joint replacements will interfere with the types of examination described above.

When using MSCT of the chest, a person may experience some discomfort. Unpleasant sensations can also occur when a contrast agent is administered due to allergic reactions, as well as due to a feeling of warmth.

What is it prescribed for?

This method is used to obtain layer-by-layer images of the lungs and mediastinum in pulmonology. Using three-dimensional reconstruction of organs, doctors assess the size of the tumor formation and determine its development over time or during treatment.

Indications for MSCT of the chest cavity:

emphysema and bronchiectasis;
lung cancer and pneumonia;
screening for pathology of the mediastinum and lung tissue;
vascular type assessment;
diagnosis of thromboembolism;
planning radiation exposure for cancer.

Sometimes an experimental study using spiral computed tomography can identify diseases such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and granulomatosis.

Virtual MSCT has become widespread in private medical centers. It has broad prospects for development, but also a high price. Not every public hospital can afford such equipment.

Thus, MSCT is a highly accurate diagnostic method, but is characterized by a significant radiation load on a person, and therefore is used strictly according to indications.

To assess the condition of the bone structures, soft tissues and blood vessels of the chest, patients are prescribed a computed tomography scan. This can be either a comprehensive scan or a separate CT scan of the lungs or another organ.

The procedure is necessary to establish and clarify the diagnosis, determine congenital abnormalities and determine the most successful treatment tactics.

When performing a CT scan of the chest, the radiation dose to the body is tens of times less than with radiography. Therefore, you can do it without risk to health even several times a year,

The essence of the process is to obtain, using beams of rays, many images that form a three-dimensional picture of the chest area. The accuracy of this diagnosis is at least 98%, which makes it indispensable in detection, treatment and prevention. wide range cardiological, pulmonary and other diseases, as well as injuries and inflammations.

How often can I get tested?

Important! The period between studies must be at least 3 months.

What does it show?

Mostly computed tomography of this area is used as a secondary diagnostic tool, that is, when approximately the pathology has been established, but confirmation or some clarification is required.

The procedure is mandatory (if there are no contraindications) for patients for whom surgery is indicated. CT scan of the chest makes it possible to identify various abnormalities (including very minor ones):

Malignant or benign neoplasms.
Vessels blocked by cholesterol plaques.
Heart lesions of various nature, including age-related changes.
Accumulation of fluid in the pleural area.
Edema phenomena.
Foci of inflammatory processes.
Genetic abnormalities of the mediastinum.
Injuries of traumatic origin, for example, pinching in the spine, rib fractures, etc.
Metastatic formations in the bone marrow and spine.
10. Emphysema, bronchiectasis and other infectious diseases.

Indications

The examination is used when it is necessary to detect diseases and developmental anomalies of various organs and systems of the chest. The main indications for CT in this area include:

stabbing, cutting or pulling pain in the chest;
the appearance of problems with breathing and cardiac activity in a person;
drawing up a chemotherapy regimen or preparing for surgery;
diagnosis and therapy of oncology of the lungs, breast, esophagus, etc.;
assessment of the condition if thrombosis or pulmonary embolism is suspected;
clarification of diagnoses such as lung abscess, pleurisy, diaphragmatic paralysis, mediastinitis, atelectasis, pneumonia, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, hernia, etc.;
establishing the presence and spread of metastases;
prevention of cancer recurrence;
determining the effectiveness of the therapy.

Contraindications

You cannot undergo examination if:

your weight is more than 160 kilograms (for closed tomographs);
age less than 14 years;
you are carrying or breastfeeding a child;
are allergic to contrast solution;
there is no possibility of disconnection from the ventilator;
there are mental disorders that do not allow the body to remain still during the study;
the person suffers from chronic kidney or liver dysfunction, has diabetes, or has problems with the thyroid gland (if contrast is administered).

How long does it last?

The average duration of the procedure is five minutes. A CT scan with the introduction of a contrast agent takes a little longer - approximately 20-25 minutes.

How to get a referral for diagnostics?

The need for a computed tomography scan is determined by the doctor. As a rule, a prescription is issued by a general practitioner, family doctor or specialized specialist (cardiologist, gastroenterologist, etc.) in the presence of pathological symptoms or to clarify the diagnosis.

How to prepare?

In the case of a study without the injection of a contrast agent, the only thing you need to do is to calm down before the procedure so that you can lie still. Scanning with contrast is performed on an empty stomach, drinking alcohol and smoking is prohibited.

How do they do it?

The process is extremely simple:

the patient comes to the instrumental diagnostic room and lies down on the couch;
after assuming a horizontal position, the table moves inside the tomograph and scanning begins (minor crackling and clicking noises are heard);
As soon as the data is received, the couch moves out and the patient is free.

If a CT scan with contrast is performed, an iodine-containing drug is pre-administered. The patient may feel slight side effects(metallic taste in the mouth, mild nausea, shortness of breath), which disappear after the solution is removed from the body. Drinking plenty of fluids promotes elimination.

The attending physician will be able to explain in detail how the tomography is performed and answer any questions the patient may have.

CT chest with contrast

CT with contrast is used if there is a need to obtain a more detailed image. The patient is injected with a contrast agent that contains iodine, which colors the vessels as it moves through the bloodstream. As a result, the radiologist can determine the location of blood clots, blood supply routes to tumors, etc.

The cost of a study with contrast is slightly more expensive (10-15%) than a conventional computed tomography, but it allows the most accurate assessment of the condition of the chest organs.

How long does decryption take?

Interpretation involves analyzing images by a radiologist to determine the presence of certain deviations from the norm. The patient can receive an expert opinion within 30-60 minutes.

In difficult diagnostic cases, the duration of decoding can increase to several hours.

What is MSCT of the chest?

A type of computed tomography is MSCT - an innovative examination technique that allows you to obtain tissue sections made sequentially (and not by superimposing one on top of the other, which is typical of CT).

An important difference between this procedure is the less significant radiation impact on the body. At the same time, the method is of limited information and is not prescribed to all patients.

Many people are concerned about how the type of tomography affects the price, because no one wants to overpay. MSCT is more expensive than conventional CT, but not much. Deciding which type of examination to give preference should be based on the recommendations of the attending physician.

Difference from chest MRI

Examination of the affected area can be performed using various methods, in particular using MRI. The main differences between magnetic resonance and computed tomography of the chest:

CT scanning is the most informative when visualizing hollow internal organs and lungs;
During a magnetic resonance examination, a person is not exposed to radiation; however, during a computed tomography scan, the dose is so small that it has no effect. negative impact on the body;
MRIs are not performed on people with metal implants;
CT is better suited for diagnosing structures that are in motion;
in both cases, the images are accurate, and the degree of detail depends on the type of tomograph (the study is carried out on open and closed, high-field and low-field devices, differing in power) and the patient’s behavior, or more precisely, his immobility.

Speaking about why CT is better, it is also worth noting a significant difference in cost: a regular tomography costs from 2,650 rubles, and for an MRI you will have to pay at least 3.5 thousand rubles.

Chest CT: video

Multislice (multislice, multilayer) computed tomography (MSCT) is the most advanced method of studying the human body at the current level of medical development. Its main principle is the simultaneous use of several elements for receiving X-rays passing through the areas under study in a spiral.

MSCT

Multislice computed tomography is one of several CT options. The study is carried out using X-rays using a two-dimensional detector arrangement. The array of sensors moves in a spiral around the patient's body, which provides a unique opportunity to receive several fragments at the same time. MSCT diagnostics capture images of large areas at high speed, which facilitates the examination of seriously ill patients.

MSCT is prescribed in the following situations:

for diseases accompanied by severe pain;
for oncological pathologies of the liver, bladder, pancreas, kidneys;
to confirm or identify extraorgan neoplasms of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal zone;
with pulmonary embolism;
in case of serious injuries;
to determine foci of tuberculosis of varying degrees.

MSCT and CT - what is the difference

Computed tomography (CT) and MSCT are different derivatives of the same method. Multispiral diagnostics is a more modern method. What is the difference between MSCT and CT? The first type of examination simultaneously examines the soft and bone tissues of the body. Advantages of MSCT:

improved contrast resolution;
research accuracy;
increased number of rotations of the X-ray tube;
increasing scanning speed;
different area of anatomical coverage;

MSCT and MRI - what is the difference

The advantage of magnetic resonance imaging is that it obtains images in any plane. The advantage of multispiral diagnostics is obtaining thin sections, displaying the structure of the walls, and constructing three-dimensional structures. The main difference between MSCT and MRI is that the first method helps to obtain spiral sections of any organ. The second study takes an image of the entire object. How else does MRI differ from MSCT? The first method is better suited for examining bone tissue, and the second - for soft tissue organs.

MSCT of the brain

When a neurologist refers a patient for examination, the patient immediately has a question: what is MSCT of the brain? This method involves injecting a contrast agent into the vessels and then illuminating them. The procedure is non-invasive, therefore it does not have a negative effect on the area being examined or on the body as a whole. MSCT examination is carried out for the following indications:

preparation for brain surgery;
postoperative control;
identification of metastases and neoplasms of various origins;
diabetic angiopathy;
atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries;
clarification of other examination methods;
clarification of the cause of headaches;
inflammatory processes;
vascular development abnormalities;
identifying the consequences of injuries, concussions and head contusions;
control after ischemic stroke;
detection of aneurysms;
diagnosis of vascular malformations.

MSCT of the head

The ability to conduct thin sections in a short period of scanning time provides detailed and maximally complete information about intracranial structures. Main indications for MSCT of the head:

control of biopsy;
diagnosis of tumors;
to assess perfusion in hemorrhages;
diagnostics of the head in case of stroke (bleeding, blood clots);
planning therapy for inflammatory brain diseases;
signs of intracranial hypertension;
clarification of the causes of pathologies of the temporal region and diseases of the middle ear;
detection of intracranial bleeding, aneurysms;
determining the cause of dizziness, confusion, paralysis of limbs, headaches.

MSCT of the abdominal cavity

Multislice tomography of the peritoneum allows us to examine all the pathologies of its organs and tissues. After the procedure, the doctor easily detects metastases and stage 1 tumors that have grown to 2 mm. Carrying out MSCT of the abdominal organs (ABP) makes sense when there is a suspicion of a cyst or to confirm cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, or abscess. A procedure is prescribed to identify tumors and other pathologies:

in the stomach, large and small intestines;
in the spleen, liver, gallbladder, pancreas;
if you have kidney stones;
spread of tumor of the digestive canal;
if you suspect stones in the bladder (urolithiasis);
when identifying stones in the ureters;
with inflammation of the lymph nodes and vessels of the peritoneum;
if nephrosis is suspected.

MSCT of the spine

It is considered the safest and most effective method of visualizing the spinal column and surrounding tissues. With MSCT of the spine, the doctor receives detailed information about all its structures, including vertebrae, spinal discs, nerve roots, spinal cord, as well as muscles, tendons, and blood vessels that are located nearby. Multispiral diagnostics of the spine is prescribed:

before surgery;
in the presence of tumors;
arthrosis or spondyloarthrosis of the spine;
with curvature, fracture of the spine or developmental anomaly;
compression of the spinal roots;
in the presence of degenerative-dystrophic changes (osteochondrosis, spondylosis).

MSCT of the chest organs

This is highly informative modern method diagnostics, widely used to identify large quantity chest pathologists. Often it becomes the final examination confirming the diagnosis. MSCT of the chest (CHC) is also used to adjust the treatment plan. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to accurately visualize all bone structures, cartilage, nerves, soft tissues, blood vessels, lymphatic systems and mammary glands in women. Indications for MSCT of the chest:

pulmonary infarction;
suspected cancer, cysts or metastases;
lung adenocarcinoma;
diseases of the aorta or large vessels;
suspicion of abscess, tuberculosis, pneumonia, pleurisy and other infections;
diseases of the esophagus;
aortic pathology.

MSCT of vessels

Used to identify vascular diseases of the extremities, such as narrowing or blockage of arteries, aneurysms, fusion with veins, and others. The technique involves injecting a radiopaque contrast agent into the femoral artery. MSCT of vessels is prescribed for the following symptoms of arterial aneurysm:

tissue death (gangrene);
numbness of the limbs;
pain in the legs and arms at rest;
cramps in the limbs during physical exertion;
sensation of a pulsating formation.

MSCT with contrast

In case of serious suspicion of pathology of the abdominal organs, MSCT with contrast is often prescribed. This method is more expensive because it is more complicated, because the patient requires additional preparation. When studying ABP, the introduction of contrast helps to significantly enhance visualization, which is especially effective when identifying small tumors of a few millimeters. Contrast helps the doctor determine the condition of blood vessels, identify foci of ischemia, and increase vascularization during inflammatory processes.

How often can MSCT be done?

Multislice tomography has its contraindications. MSCT diagnostics are not carried out during pregnancy, obesity, or if diabetes mellitus, acute renal failure, plaster or fixed metal structure. How often can MSCT be done? Frequency of procedure of great importance does not, because the amount of radiation received during diagnosis, unlike other methods, is minimal.

Preparation for MSCT

If the patient does not plan to receive a contrast agent, the study does not require preliminary preparation. If a procedure with contrast is prescribed, then 6-7 hours before a multi-slice CT scan it is necessary to refuse food, since the patient may experience nausea during the examination. If a person does not know how often MSCT can be done and what contraindications there are, then he needs to warn his doctor about the presence of allergic reactions before the study.

Price for MSCT

Depending on the clinic a person chooses, the price of the service will vary. It is not possible to undergo multislice tomography inexpensively, since the procedure is complex, especially if the use of contrast is required. How much does MSCT cost in Russia? The average cost of a study starts from 6,000 rubles. The use of contrast increases the price by 1,000 rubles.