Computed tomography in the diagnosis of spinal and spinal cord tumors

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Trinh Thi Phuong Nga - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Computed tomography of spinal tumors or computed tomography of spinal cord are methods to detect disease, guide surgery, radiation therapy or follow up after surgery commonly used today.

1. What is computed tomography of the spine and spinal cord?

Computed tomography scan is a procedure to create clear images of the lumbar spine with a computed tomography machine to evaluate the state of bones, discs, spinal cord and surrounding components. . Computed tomography of the spine can detect spinal diseases such as benign bone tumors, malignant spinal tumors or bone metastases or congenital abnormalities. Computed tomography scan of spinal tumors as soon as signs of disease are suspected will help us handle and treat them promptly.
A CT scan of the spinal cord is a procedure that creates an image of the bones or fluid-filled spaces between the bones. The purpose of this process is to look for tumors, infections or problems with the spine (herniated discs, arthritis,...)
Spatial-resolution computed tomography of the spine for High bones should give accurate results, suitable for surveying diseases of bones and spine. Besides high accuracy, computed tomography of the spine also has a fast capture time, so it is used in emergencies or mobile parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, liver,...

2. Steps to conduct computed tomography of the spine

For the most accurate results, it is necessary to carefully prepare the steps to conduct a CT scan of bones and joints as follows:
Before taking the picture:
The photographer needs to remove metal objects on the body such as rings, Rings, watches, hearing aids as these will interfere with the image during shooting, affecting the final result. Cases needing attention to declare such as diabetes, asthma, venous insufficiency, kidney failure, drug allergy, pregnancy or suspected pregnancy. Family members or patients need to sign a written commitment when using contrast medium if necessary. Patients must fast before 4-6 hours if contrast injection is required. During the scan, the patient should:
Lie on your back on the table in the imaging room and then follow the doctor's instructions. The patient needs to lie still for the best image. In the case of contrast injection, there are some side effects, but it is necessary to keep the position as indicated by the medical staff. After taking the scan, it should be noted:
If contrast is not injected, you can work normally, eat and drink right after the spinal scan. For patients with contrast injection during computed tomography of spinal tumors, the hand must be kept on the position of the contrast needle for 5-10 minutes to avoid bleeding. When using contrast medium, it is necessary to drink a lot of water then to flush it out. After taking the picture, if you have any signs such as itching, nausea, fever, difficulty breathing, etc., you should immediately notify a medical staff or go to the nearest medical facility.

3. Computerized tomography should pay attention to what?

For the best and clearest CT scan results, you should cooperate with your doctor, inform about your health status and medical history. Because not everyone can carry out this procedure of computed tomography of the spinal cord, bones and joints, if not known, it will lead to bad consequences. In addition, women during pregnancy should not perform computed tomography because it can cause birth defects in the fetus.
The examination of different parts will have separate requirements, so it is necessary to follow the instructions of the doctor.
Computerized tomography is currently a popular application, but the specific price of 1 scan is unknown. In fact, the cost of shooting depends on a lot of factors such as the quality of the camera or where the photo is taken on the body. High or low cost depends on whether the patient needs contrast injection? The cost will be different between a spinal computed tomography scan and a computed tomography scan of the joints.
The doctor will conduct a CT scan of the entire spine in the vertical direction. The computed tomography scan of a spinal tumor can take about 10 to 15 minutes.

In summary, computed tomography of spinal tumors is a complicated procedure that requires a doctor's appointment when examining, so be equipped with the necessary knowledge to protect your health. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading prestigious hospitals in the country, trusted by a large number of patients for medical examination and treatment. Not only the physical system, modern equipment: 6 ultrasound rooms, 4 DR X-ray rooms (1 full-axis machine, 1 light machine, 1 general machine and 1 mammography machine) , 2 DR portable X-ray machines, 2 multi-row CT scanner rooms (1 128 rows and 1 16 arrays), 2 Magnetic resonance imaging rooms (1 3 Tesla and 1 1.5 Tesla), 1 room for 2 levels of interventional angiography and 1 room to measure bone mineral density.... Vinmec is also the place to gather a team of experienced doctors and nurses who will greatly assist in diagnosis and detection. early signs of abnormality in the patient's body. In particular, with a space designed according to 5-star hotel standards, Vinmec guarantees to bring patients the most comfort, friendliness and peace of mind when choosing computed tomography to diagnose spinal tumors. spinal cord in the hospital.

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