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When you are assigned and how is a CT scan of the lumbosacral spine?

With the help of a CT scan of the lumbar-sacral spine can diagnose and begin treatment of many diseases, localized in spinal and lumbar. When the x-ray radiation is released in much smaller doses than radiography, but at the same time with the help of computer imaging you can see a lot more and are more likely to supply the most accurate diagnosis. During a CT scan of the spine and its parts used contrast agent, which is iodine. But used contrast agent only in the case when you need to check the operation of vessels and soft tissue. In other cases, the analysis can be carried out without iodine supplements.lumbosacral spine

Indications and contraindications CT

The Indications for CT are:

  1. defects in the structure of the spine, back pain that occurs suddenly, a feeling of tightness and compression of the vertebrae. Various injuries of the vertebrae and of the lumbar. A pinched spinal cord.
  2. Disease of the vertebral and lumbar osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, arthritis, herniated disc. Cancer education and the growth of cancer cells in the spine.

Indications for CT

The Indications for which CT cannot do:

  1. CT scan of the lumbosacral spine is not carried out during pregnancy. No matter what stage of pregnancy this woman was not, since x-ray radiation, even the smallest, can very adversely affect the health of the future baby. During lactation also impossible to carry out a CT scan of the lumbosacral spine, with radiation into the body lactating women can get and a contrast agent, and after the mother's milk is a substance enters the body of the child, which could be detrimental to his health.
  2. Allergic reactions to iodine, which is included with a contrast agent, and various diseases of the kidneys and endocrine system diseases can be a contraindication for computed tomography.

Pregnancy as a contraindication for CT

Children spend a computer tomography of the lumbar-sacral spine can't. It is only those children who are above 14 years and only in the most extreme cases. These cases include: very severe scoliosis, curvature of the spine difficult the degree for which required surgical intervention or prolonged treatment.

Alternative to computed tomography

In some cases, during the examination of the lumbosacral MRI better than CT. TOOOhese situations include diseases and injuries of the spinal cord, damage to the muscular system, damage to nerve roots and endings, injuries of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. But it is worth considering that in the study of bone analysis may come out with some errors.

Sometimes, in order to examine the spinal cord and the spinal canal, used as a method of diagnosis which is called myelography. But this method is used rarely, because its use is fraught with serious complications in the patient's body.

If you need to detect the presence of intervertebral disc herniation and to investigate the muscles, ligaments, nerves and their roots and terminations, alternative method of computer tomography can serve as a nuclear magnetic resonance tomography of the spine.

When examining bones and bone formation, and to get to know the symmetric or asymmetric position of the vertebrae relative to each other, it is possible to apply a spiral computed tomography of the spine. Such a study may help to pinpoint all the changes in the bones, bone and throughout the spine as a whole.

Preparation

The study should be to follow a diet within several days. You need to eliminate from the diet certain foods. Can not eat vegetables and fruits in fresh form, it is advisable to use rye bread, legumes and carbonated beverages, as these products contribute to severe flatulence.

On examination is necessary to come only with an empty stomach.

If last ever conducted computer tomography of the lumbar-sacral spine, we need to bring the results of the analyses, because during detention a physician may compare past and current analyses.Diet before the test

Before starting the examination patient should be freed from all metallic objects. The specialist determines the exact area that will be analyzed. With this in mind, you can choose the mode of operation of the device and is determined by the time during which the study takes place. If necessary, the patient is injected intravenous contrastsubstance, it begins to act almost immediately, so you do not have extra time to wait.

This survey has been conducted in a horizontal position. The patient should lie on his back on a movable table. To the patient's spine was as straight, his knees under him and put the pillow or cushion. For mobile table is the tunnel, which during the procedure moves the table itself. Around the table is the ring scanner, which rotates during the test. During the examination the patient feels nothing. After the examination there are no complications and consequences.