Imaging exams are much requested by doctors to help diagnose and define the treatment of various diseases. However, there are currently several imaging tests that can be indicated according to the person's symptoms and characteristics and the doctor's assessment, such as ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography and scintigraphy. Although these exams are imaging, they all have different indications and applications.
1. Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a type of imaging examination that allows real-time visualization of any organ or tissue in the body. It is the most suitable test for pregnant women, as there is no radiation emission, so it is not harmful to the fetus. When this test is performed with a doppler, it is possible to observe the blood flow. Understand how ultrasound is done.
The ultrasound exam can help in the diagnosis and treatment of several situations, such as:
- Investigation of abdominal or back pain; Investigation of diseases involving the uterus, tubes and ovaries, such as endometriosis; Visualization and analysis of muscles, joints, tendons and organs, such as thyroid, liver, kidneys and breast, which can be useful to check for the presence of nodules or cysts.
In pregnancy, ultrasound is widely used to monitor the development of the fetus and identify any possible malformation, such as anencephaly and heart disease, for example. See how ultrasound is done in pregnancy.
2. X-ray
X-ray is the oldest and most widely used image exam to identify fractures, for example, because it allows a faster diagnosis because it is a simpler and cheaper exam in relation to computed tomography, for example. In addition to identifying fractures, X-rays allow the identification of infections and injuries in various organs, such as the lungs.
To perform the exam, preparation is not necessary and the exam lasts around 10 to 15 minutes. However, because there is exposure to radiation, even if small, this test is not indicated for pregnant women, mainly because the X-ray can influence the development of the fetus. In addition, children should avoid taking x-rays frequently, because as they are in development, radiation can interfere with bone growth, for example. Know the risks of radiography in pregnancy.
3. Tomography
Tomography is an examination that uses X-ray to obtain the image, however the device generates sequential images that allow better visualization of the organ and more accurate diagnosis. Because radiation is also used, tomography should not be performed on pregnant women, and another type of image examination, such as ultrasound, should be performed.
Computed tomography is usually indicated to help diagnose muscle and bone diseases, check for hemorrhage and aneurysms, investigate kidney malformation, pancreatitis, infections and to track tumors. Find out more about what computed tomography is for.
4. Scintigraphy
Scintigraphy is an image examination that allows the visualization of organs and their functionality through the administration of a radioactive substance, called a radiopharmaceutical or radiotracer, which is absorbed by the organs and identified by the equipment through the emitted radiation, generating an image.
As it allows the analysis of organ function, scintigraphy is widely used in oncology to identify the location of tumors and investigate the presence of metastases, but it can also be requested by the doctor in other situations, such as:
- Evaluation of pulmonary changes, such as pulmonary embolism, emphysema and blood vessel deformity, helping in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Understand what lung scintigraphy is and what it is for; Bone evaluation , in which signs of cancer or bone metastasis are investigated, in addition to osteomyelitis, arthritis, fractures, osteonecrosis and bone infarction. See how bone scintigraphy is done; Identification of brain changes, mainly related to the blood supply to the brain, allowing the identification and monitoring of degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, in addition to brain tumors, stroke and confirmation of brain death. Understand how bone scintigraphy is done; Evaluation of kidney shape and function, from production to urine elimination. Learn more about renal scintigraphy; Investigate the presence and severity of variations in cardiac function, such as ischemia and infarction, for example. Learn how to prepare for myocardial scintigraphy; Observe thyroid function and changes, such as the presence of nodules, cancer, causes of hyper and hypothyroidism and inflammation of the thyroid. See how you prepare for thyroid scintigraphy.
In relation to oncology, it is usually indicated by the doctor to perform a whole body scintigraphy, or PCI, which allows the primary location of breast, bladder, thyroid cancer, among others, to be assessed, and to assess the progression of the disease and the presence of metastases. Understand how full body scintigraphy is done and what it is for.
