In general terms, what is fluorography,probably everyone knows. This diagnostic method, which allows imaging of organs and tissues, was developed as early as the end of the 20th century, a year after x-rays were detected. In the pictures you can see sclerosis, fibrosis, foreign objects, neoplasms, inflammation with a developed degree, the presence in the cavities of gases and infiltration, abscesses, cysts, and so on. What is fluorography? What is the procedure? How often and at what age can it be made? Are there any contraindications to the diagnosis? Read about it in the article.
Features of the technique
Chest X-ray is most often performed.cells that can detect tuberculosis, a malignant tumor in the lungs or chest, and other pathologies. Also, the technique is used to examine the heart and bones. It is mandatory to carry out such a diagnosis, if the patient complains of constant cough, shortness of breath, lethargy.
As a rule, children learn about whatfluorography, only fifteen years old. It is from this age that prophylactic purposes are allowed to conduct an examination. For younger children, an x-ray or an ultrasound scan is used (if necessary), and only in the most extreme cases, fluorography is prescribed.
How often is diagnosis allowed?
Этот вопрос волнует многих.In order to prevent tuberculosis, it is necessary to be examined at least once every two years. People who have special indications should resort to this method of diagnosis more often. For example, for those who have a history of tuberculosis in their family or work community, fluorography is prescribed every six months. Employees of maternity hospitals, tuberculosis clinics, dispensaries, and sanatoriums are examined at the same frequency. Also, every six months, diagnostics is performed for people with severe pathologies of the chronic course, such as diabetes, bronchial asthma, stomach ulcers, HIV, and so on, as well as for those who have been serving sentences in prisons. Conscripts to the army and persons diagnosed with tuberculosis, fluorography is done regardless of how much time has passed since the previous survey.
Contraindications
Такой вид диагностики, как уже было сказано выше, does not apply to children under fifteen. Also, fluorography is not done during pregnancy, except in cases of emergency. But even if there are special indications, the examination can be carried out only in the case when the gestation period exceeds 25 weeks. At this time, all the systems of the fetus have already been laid, and the procedure does not harm him. The impact of radiation at an earlier date is fraught with violations and mutations, since during this period the cells of the fetus actively divide.
At the same time, some doctors believe thatconditions of modern technology for pregnant women is not too dangerous fluorography. Harm to the fetus is not applied, because the dose of radiation is extremely small. Lead boxes are built into the devices, protecting all organs located above and below the chest level. And yet it is worth refusing to carry out the procedure while carrying the child. But lactating mothers have nothing to worry about. The diagnostic method does not affect the quality of breast milk, so for them the examination is completely safe. However, of course, fluorography during the lactation period should be done only if there are good reasons.
Procedure
No preparation is required.The patient enters the office, strips to the waist and gets into the booth of the device, slightly like an elevator. The specialist fixes the person in the required position, presses the breast to the screen and asks for a few seconds to hold his breath. One click on the button, and you're done! The procedure is extremely simple, to do something is not so simply impossible, especially since all your actions are monitored by the medical staff.
Results of the survey
If the density of tissues in the examined organschanged, it will be noticeable on the resulting image. Frequently, fluorography reveals the appearance of connective fibers in the lungs. They can be in different areas of the organs and have a different look. Depending on this, the fibers are classified into scars, cords, fibrosis, adhesions, sclerosis, radiance. Cancers, abscesses, calcifications, cysts, emphysematous phenomena, infiltrates are also clearly visible in the pictures. However, the disease is not always possible to identify with this diagnostic method. For example, pneumonia will be noticeable only when it acquires a fairly developed form.
X-ray image does not appear immediately,it takes some time, so the results of the survey can only be obtained in a day. If no abnormalities are found, the patient is issued a sealed certificate confirming this. Otherwise, a number of additional diagnostic measures are assigned.
X-ray or fluorography
The technique we considered was invented asmore mobile and cheaper analog of x-ray. The film used for images is quite expensive, and it takes much less to perform fluorography; as a result, the examination is cheaper by more than ten times. X-ray imaging requires special devices or baths, and each image needs to be individually processed. And fluorography allows you to show the film directly in rolls. But irradiation with this method is twice as much, because the roll film is less sensitive. X-rays are used in both cases, and even the devices through which the examination is carried out have a similar appearance.
And what is more informative for the doctor:x-ray or fluorography? The answer is unequivocal - x-ray. With this diagnostic method, the image of the organ itself is scanned, and with fluorography, the shadow reflected from the fluorescent screen is taken, so the picture is smaller and not so clear.
Disadvantages of the method
- Significant dose of radiation. During the session, some devices give a radiation load of 0.8 m3v, while the patient receives only 0.26 m3v with X-rays.
- Insufficient information content of images. Practicing radiologists indicate that approximately 15% of the images are rejected after processing the roll film.
These problems can be solved by introducing a new technique. Tell you more about it.
Digital technology
Nowadays, film is still commonly used.The technology, however, has already been developed and in some places an advanced method has been applied, which has several advantages. Digital fluorography allows you to get the most accurate images, and at the same time the patient is affected by a smaller amount of radiation. The advantages can also include the possibility of transmitting and storing information on digital media, the absence of expensive materials, the ability of devices to “serve” a larger number of patients per unit of time.
Digital fluorography is more effective than filmsome data) by about 15%, while at the same time during the procedure the radiological load increases five times less than when using the film version. Due to this, diagnostics by means of digital fluorograms is allowed even for children. To date, there are already devices equipped with a silicon linear detector, issuing a quantity of radiation, comparable to what we receive in one day in ordinary life.
Does fluorography cause real harm?
The body during the procedure is reallyexposed to radiation. But is it so strong to adversely affect health? In fact, fluorography is not so dangerous. Her harm is greatly exaggerated. The device produces a dose of radiation that has been carefully verified by scientists and is incapable of causing any serious disturbances in the body. Few people know, but, for example, during a flight in an airplane we receive a much greater radiation load. And the longer the flight, the higher the air corridor, respectively, the more harmful radiation penetrates into the passengers. What can I say, because even watching TV is associated with radiation exposure. Not to mention the computers at which our children spend so much time. Think about it!
Finally
From the article you learned about whatfluorography, as well as all the intricacies of the procedure. Do it or not, decide for yourself. By law, no one can force you to take an examination without good reason. On the other hand, to make sure that everything is in order with health is never in the way. The choice is yours!
