Scan: WHAT IS IT, HOW IT WORKS, REQUESTED FOR, PROBLEMS, PRECAUTIONS

Scan

WHAT IS IT?

It is a functional medical imaging technique that uses radioactive isotopes to study the functionality of various organs

HOW IT WORKS

The different tissues of the body capture the different chemical elements selectively.

Using radioactive isotopes of these, you can get information on how to purchase the various tissue elements they need for their function, by quantifying the radiation emitted (with a gamma camera; set of radiation detectors located in a grid), and obtain an idea of the functioning of organs.

The classic example is the assessment of thyroid gland function, which selectively accumulates iodine that enters the body.

It also serves to detect ectopic activity (misplaced) and in thyroid cancers in which the metastases (planting distance) also capture the radioactive iodine, visualizing early with this technique.

In other cases, exploits the tendency of certain processes such as inflammation or accumulate certain metastases certain products that are concentrated in normal circumstances, so you can monitor the activity of inflammatory processes of bone metastases from breast cancer or extension of a heart attack.



In all these cases the two main advantages of scintigraphy lies in its functional nature, demonstrating ongoing processes and its high sensitivity, demonstrating some lesions much earlier than other media.

In turn, the two biggest disadvantage is the small risk posed by the introduction into the body of radioactive substances, but with the improvement in sensitivity of the cameras and the use of short-lived isotopes of low intensity and this is today At present, small, and the relative anatomical imprecision obtained, the blurring of radiation on the uptake zone.

REQUESTED FOR

As already mentioned, the scan is essential today in functional studies of specific physiological processes (normal) and pathological conditions such as:

Exploration of thyroid function and, within this, the valuation of solid nodules (for the study of cysts are used ultrasound and fine needle aspiration).

In the evaluation of metabolically active bone processes, such as Paget's disease or ankylosing spondylarthritis in its early stages, which is more sensitive than conventional radiography.

In cardiology, in assessing the extent of the stroke, if this information is necessary.

In the proof of metastasis of solid tumors such as breast cancer, which provides a global information and early.

In kidney and liver function studies.
HOW DOES THE EXPLORATION ADVANCE PREPARATION
Normally needed no preparation.
Pregnancy is a contraindication of this test.
TO LEAVE TO DO THE TEST
It should go without metal objects of a certain size.

He probably put a nightgown at the time of detecting radiation to improve sensitivity and reduce the administered dose, although in many cases not necessary to undress.

There is no need for gonadal protection, since the radiation, unlike in radiology, from inside your body, not outside, so that you can not dazzle.

WHAT IS THE EXPLORATION
The doctor, nurse or technician will be injected into a forearm vein using a syringe surrounded by lead, the calculated dose (for its weight and specific exploration) of the radioactive element concerned.

After a variable period of time (about which you report), must undergo the study with the gamma camera, of which there are several models, usually consisting in a kind of plate that he passes along the body, front and behind, or that is placed on the body to explore. Can be integrated into an examination table, which you then will move.

PROBLEMS
They are not expected.

The chances of harmful effects of a radionuclide scan is minimal given that the doses used are too.

LONG DOES
It depends on the study to be conducted in particular, the waiting time between the injection and passage through the radiation detector (the gamma camera) is variable. Consult in advance.

The injection itself will take less than a minute, and exploration with the gamma camera for ten minutes.

TELL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Are afraid or unaware of the technique.

PRECAUTIONS
Generic Scan
They are not expected.

Children and pregnant
It is not advisable, except in very special cases. Check with your doctor.

Special Diseases
Could pose problems in patients with alterations in DNA repair mechanisms (genetic code), such as ataxia telangiectasia patients.

Infant Vomiting: What is it, Causes and risk factors, Infections, Dietary Errors, treatment

Infant Vomiting

[?] What is it?

Before talking about vomiting, we must withdraw from that part which is not vomiting, that is to say:

Regurgitation who are only discharging liabilities related to the contraction of the smooth muscle of the stomach (the mothers sometimes say that their infants "spit" the contents of the stomach is slowly emerging from the mouth of the child and stain the sheets, blankets and clothes. regurgitation These are favored by the sudden movement imposed on the infant);

The Rumination is the ability to go back voluntarily to the esophageal gastric contents, a true act of rumination in a baby who takes pleasure, lack of emotional contact and bored.

Vomiting true is defined by the active rejection of all or part of the stomach contents as a result of contraction of abdominal muscles, diaphragm and smooth muscle of the stomach.

[?] Causes and risk factors

Infections

Meningitis can be revealed by vomiting and fever. All parenteral infections may be responsible for vomiting in infants:
Oral thrush;
A herpetic (herpes);
A rhino-pharyngitis, otitis, mastoiditis;
The broncho-pulmonary viral or bacterial infections: bronchitis, bronchiolitis, broncho-pneumonia, flu (vomiting triggered by coughing), etc.;
Whooping cough, scarlet fever;
A urinary tract infection ...

Enteral infections (gastroenteritis) can be revealed by vomiting diarrhea before externalized. The abdomen is usually distended and gurgling.

Dietary Errors

They are very often the cause of vomiting in infants:
Meals too high (overnutrition: diet too high, dry milk too concentrated, too early introduction of flour or vegetables);
Too frequent meals;
An unbalanced diet;
An under-nutrition (inadequate intake, dry milk too diluted, extended exclusive milk diet);
A nipple pierced too;
A swallowing too fast (aerophagia) ...

We may compare the etiology of errors:
Therapeutic (drug overdose: digitalis, theophylline, Negram ®, tetracyclines, aspirin, vitamin D, A. ..);
Or psychological forcing food (the mother is anxious, unstable, in the rigorous schedule and wants to force her baby to drink), relocation of part or nurse, etc..

The hiatal hernia (cardio-tuberosity malposition)

This defect causes a malfunction of anti-reflux existing at the junction of the lower esophagus and fundus of the stomach called "cardiac." Vomiting occurs in the first days of life. They appear early and often even during meals. They are sometimes bloody. It radiography (transit oesogastroduodénal TOGD) which allows the diagnosis. The endoscopy and pH monitoring are increasingly used. .

The treatment in medical:
Children kept sitting in a seat-type Baby ® Relax during meals and time that follows, sometimes 24 hours on 24. (Some pediatricians advise the prone position ventral);
Thickening of the meal (Gumilk ®, Gélopectose ®);
Digestive Dressings (Phosphalugel ®, infant Polysylane ®, Gaviscon, etc.).
Antispasmodics (Primperan ®, Vogalène ®, Prepulsid, etc..).



Pyloric stenosis

Vomiting occurs around the age of 3 weeks then after a free interval without vomiting. They are explosive and plentiful. The appetite of the child is kept: he protests indignantly after vomiting and seeks to eat ... "The stool is rare. The pediatrician sees sometimes in the abdomen touching the pyloric muscle hypertrophy (" pyloric olive " ) and the peristaltic waves from the left hypochondrium hypochondrium to right. Radiological examination confirmed the diagnosis by indirect signs (stasis food hyperperistalsis) and direct signs (pyloric canal end and elongated image of the stenosis ). Ultrasound reveals hyperplasia of the pylorus. The only treatment is surgical.

The gastric plication

The stomach is partially turned on itself by excessive colonic distension. The diagnosis is radiological. Treatment consists of the sleeping child in the womb. The causes mentioned in surgical cases of acute onset of vomiting:
The intussusception;
The strangulation hernia (hernia);
Appendicitis;
Peritonitis;
An incomplete duodenal stenosis (trisomy 21) ...

Other less common causes:

Vomiting cause psycho-emotional intolerance to proteins in cow's milk, gluten or sugar, certain kidney diseases (malformations, nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, chronic renal failure), the congenital adrenal hyperplasia), metabolic diseases (galactosemia, phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease, hypercalcemia ...), hypertension intracranial (subdural hematoma, hydrocephalus, roseola, Négram ®, tetracycline, vitamin A etc. ...), hypertension hypertension (acute glomerulonephritis etc. ...), congenital heart disease, chronic intoxication by lead (lead poisoning) causes are much rarer than the pediatrician should know mentioned.

Sometimes, despite careful investigation, doctors found no cause. This is called "usual vomiting. This condition heals with symptomatic treatment only continued a few weeks.

Fluoroscopy: What is it, How it Works, Requested for, Advance Preparation, Problems, Precautions, Children and pregnant

Fluoroscopy

WHAT IS IT?
It is the view inside the human body dynamically through X-rays

HOW IT WORKS

The X-ray machine emits these rays, high energy electromagnetic radiation that pass through the body for it so it will depend on the density through which they pass.
These are collected after passing through the body on a screen of a special material that emits light when receiving an X-ray, see the doctor behind.
A variation that does not expose the operator to capture radiation is through a fluorescent screen (analog) or radiation detectors (digital) image which is then broadcast on a television screen.

REQUESTED FOR
Today, rarely, by the wide circulation in the patient and the doctor who provokes.

In pulmonary disorders and cardiac dynamics was very useful.

It is still used in trauma surgery, to check for proper alignment intervention (reduction) of the lesions.



HOW DOES THE EXPLORATION
Standing between the transmitter and the fluorescent screen, or during surgery.

ADVANCE PREPARATION
Not required.

TO LEAVE TO DO THE TEST
Take off any metal item such as chains, earrings, dentures, etc..
Usually performed with a bare torso.
WHAT IS THE EXPLORATION
The patient is placed between the device and the screen, which handles the doctor.
Usually follows the doctor's instructions during the examination.

PROBLEMS
X-rays are electromagnetic radiation energy, can produce alterations by excessive exposure, and we are talking during fluoroscopy.
Although a useful technique in cardio-respiratory problems, outside the operating room has been almost today.

LONG DOES
Rapid, requires neither disclosed nor has been checking how.

PRECAUTIONS
Generic Scan
Try to expose only the chest, protecting the rest of the body and especially the gonads stained materials (the lead is so dense that no radiation passes X).

Children and pregnant
It strongly discouraged.

Electrocardiography: What is it, How it works, techniques, Problems, Precautions, Generic Scan, Children and pregnant, Special Diseases

Electrocardiography

WHAT IS IT?

It is the study from outside the heart's electrical activity.

HOW IT WORKS

The heart contracts because the electrical signals of their pacemaker and conduction system neatly spread across the same from the left atrium, causing the muscle to contract.

This signal causes a change in the electrical properties of heart muscle contraction preamble, which produces a "wave of depolarization," as a continuous front of activity, starting from the left atrium is displaced to the apex of the heart.

Einthoven, Belgian physiologist, discovered that the heart's electrical activity can be collected from outside the body, which gave rise to the ECG.



REQUESTED FOR

To study the electrical conduction disorders of the heart, important in two areas:

Study of cardiac conduction abnormalities, such as in heart block.

On the principle that the heart muscle without sufficient intake of oxygen presents an abnormal electrical signal for the diagnosis of ischemic heart injury, angina and myocardial heart.

HOW DOES THE EXPLORATION ADVANCE PREPARATION
Usually not necessary.

TO LEAVE TO DO THE TEST
You have to undress from the waist up, placing electrodes on both ankles, so it is recommended not to wear "panties".
If it is too hairy, you should shave your chest (if not shave in the office).

WHAT IS THE EXPLORATION
He placed a series of electrodes (one at each end, usually by forceps, and six in the anterior and left lateral chest, around, around, the left breast, usually held up by a suction cup). For skin that transmit better signal can be spread with pasta or alcohol. Rarely performed a study with an esophageal electrode, placed in the same from the mouth.

Subsequent to the electrodes is the recording, for which the device is manipulated. Twelve combinations are usually studied with them, called derivatives "standard" and precordial increased.

There are two main variations of the technique.
The first, called "stress test" or "Bruce protocol" the record is done while the patient exercises on a formal, on a bicycle or treadmill. It is used to determine exercise tolerance after an episode of angina or heart attack.

In the second, "permanent monitoring" of 24 hours or Holter protocol, the patient wears for a long time (one or two days) is a device that continuously recorded the ECG. Used in cases of sporadic arrhythmias and angina-type pains. Currently, the emergence of mobile devices (credit card size) for specific event recording technique may become obsolete, but remains the standard.

PROBLEMS
It is a completely passive system for collecting electrical signals, so you are not foreseen.

LONG DOES
A normal ECG, about three minutes.

PRECAUTIONS

Generic Scan
Not necessary.

Children and pregnant
They can be performed without difficulty, although in children requires interppretación personnel.

Special Diseases
No difficulties are expected with any disease.