Instrumental diagnostics

At present the instrumental examinations play a leading role in establishing the nature of most diseases.

List of instrumental examinations being performed:

• Computer tomography
• Magneto-resonance tomography
• X-ray examinations
  • Stomach roentgenoscopy
  • Irrigoscopy
  • Roentgenography of the abdominal and thoracic cavities
  • Infusion urography
  • Mammography
• Scintigraphy
• Electrocardiography(ECG)
• Diagnostics of the external respiration function (spirography)

Computer tomography

Computer tomography (CT) is a method of the layer-by-layer roentgenologic examination based on the scanning of a thin layer of the object in its cross-section with a thin beam of X-ray radiation, with subsequent computer-assisted visualization of this layer. To enhance contrast, the contrast substances are used. Distinction of the modern computer tomographs is the possibility to reconstruct a three-dimensional image from the series of two-dimensional images.

Magneto-resonance tomography

Magneto-resonance imaging (MRI) is a tomographic method of examining the internal organs and tissues, using such physical phenomenon as nucleomagnetic resonance. The subject is placed into the magnetic field formed by the MRI tomograph. Then in a fraction of a second the apparatus generates the radiofrequency pulse, and molecules of the human tissues enter into resonance. The hydrogen atom nuclea generate reciprocal, computer-registered oscillations. Computer builds up on its screen the images of the organ or body part slice in three planes. In MRI the contrast agents are widely used, all of which possess magnetic properties and change the intensity of tissue images.

Roentgenologic examinations: stomach roengenoscopy; irrigoscopy; roentgenography of the abdominal and thoracic cavities; infusion urography; mammography

Roentgenologic methods of examination are the methods based on diffent X-ray absorption by the human body tissues and organs.

Roentgenoscopy is the method of roentgenologic examination, where an object image is formed on the luminous (fluorescent) screen.

Stomach roentgenoscopy is the obtaining of the shadow stomach image on a fluorescent screen. The procedure is performed using a contrast substance (most often this is barium-sulphate suspension). Examination makes it possible to judge of the organ shape, position, size and function. Irrigoscopy is a method of the colon roentgenologic examination, with a retrograde filling it with roentgen-contrast suspension.

Irrigoscopy provides the possibility of obtaining information of the colon morphological changes (not infrequently this method is decisive in diagnosing the colon tumors and diverticula).

Roentgenograpy is the method of roentgenologic examination of the inner structure of objects, which are projected with the help of X-rays on special film or paper. For organs having similar visualization with adjacent tissues, examination methods involving contrast substances are used. So, for essessing the state of vessels angiography is performed, which means vessel examination using a contrast agent. The contrast procedure of investigating the ducts of various glands is called ductography, and that of studying various fistular passages is called fistulography.

The contrast investigation has a specific significance in studying the urinary system. Here the two investigative methods are distinguished: the discharging (excretory) urography and retrograde (ascending) pyelography. The discharging urography is based on the physiological ability of kidneys to capture iodinated organic compounds from the blood, concentrate them and discharge with urine. Usually, the urotropic substances are injected into the ulnar vein, and then in certain time intervals the photographs are taken. Excretory urography allows assessing not only pelvises, calycles, ureters, general shape and sizes of the kidneys, but also the functional state thereof.

Mammography

Roentgenomammography is the basic method to objectively assess the mammal glands condition. This procedure makes it possible to timely identify pathologic changes in the mammal glands in 95-97% of cases and is a “golden standard” of studying the mammal tissues.

Scintigraphy is a method of radionuclide visualization based on the registration of irradiation generated by the radioactive substance inside a patient. Examination is performed using a gamma-chamber. On the basis of electric signal registration (transformation of scintillations [light flashes] on the photomultiplier) the two-dimensional projected image of the distribution of pharmaceutical preparation is reconstructed. Most scintigraphic investigations are performed after the intravenous injections of radionuclide pharmaceuticals.

Electrocardiography

Electrocardiography is an instrumental investigative method permitting to register electric occurrences taking place in the cardiac muscle under excitation and create their graphical image (electrocardiogram). Electrocardiogram is used to determine cardiac rate and rhythm, and reveal such pathologic states as thickening the walls of this or that cardiac region, cardiac rhythm impairment.

Spirography

Investigation of the external respiration function (spirography) is the most up-to-date method of all those currently existing in this field of medicine. A patient makes certain respiratory movements via a special sensor, and the obtained information is then processed with allowance for his/her height, age and sex. This method is the basic one in all bronchopulmonary diseases, particularly in chronic bronchitis, both obstructive and non-obstructive, and in bronchial asthma of any severity.