How many x-rays can be done in a month? How are x-rays taken and what do they show? In what cases is the procedure prescribed?

Review

Of all radiation methods there are only three diagnostics: x-ray (including fluorography), scintigraphy and CT scan, are potentially associated with dangerous radiation - ionizing radiation. X-rays are capable of splitting molecules into their component parts, so their action can destroy the membranes of living cells, as well as damage the nucleic acids DNA and RNA. Thus, the harmful effects of hard X-ray radiation are associated with cell destruction and death, as well as damage to the genetic code and mutations. In ordinary cells, mutations over time can cause cancerous degeneration, and in germ cells they increase the likelihood of deformities in the future generation.

The harmful effects of such types of diagnostics as MRI and ultrasound have not been proven. Magnetic resonance imaging is based on radiation electromagnetic waves, and ultrasound studies - on the emission of mechanical vibrations. Neither is associated with ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation is especially dangerous for body tissues that are intensively renewed or growing. Therefore, the first people to suffer from radiation are:

• bone marrow, where the formation of immune cells and blood occurs,
• skin and mucous membranes, including gastrointestinal tract,
• fetal tissue in a pregnant woman.

Children of all ages are especially sensitive to radiation, as their metabolic rate and cell division they are much higher than adults. Children are constantly growing, which makes them vulnerable to radiation.

At the same time, x-ray methods diagnostics: fluorography, radiography, fluoroscopy, scintigraphy and computed tomography are widely used in medicine. Some of us expose ourselves to the rays of an X-ray machine on our own initiative: so as not to miss something important and to detect an invisible disease at a very early stage. But most often on radiology diagnostics the doctor sends. For example, you come to the clinic to get a referral for a wellness massage or a certificate for the pool, and the therapist sends you for fluorography. The question is, why this risk? Is it possible to somehow measure the “harmfulness” of X-rays and compare it with the need for such research?

Sp-force-hide ( display: none;).sp-form ( display: block; background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); padding: 15px; width: 450px; max-width: 100%; border- radius: 8px; -moz-border-radius: 8px; -webkit-border-radius: 8px; border-color: rgba(255, 101, 0, 1); border-style: solid; border-width: 4px; font -family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: center; background-size: auto;).sp-form input ( display: inline-block; opacity: 1 ; visibility: visible;).sp-form .sp-form-fields-wrapper ( margin: 0 auto; width: 420px;).sp-form .sp-form-control ( background: #ffffff; border-color: rgba (209, 197, 197, 1); border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; font-size: 15px; padding-left: 8.75px; padding-right: 8.75px; border-radius: 4px; -moz -border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; height: 35px; width: 100%;).sp-form .sp-field label ( color: #444444; font-size: 13px; font-style : normal; font-weight: bold;).sp-form .sp-button ( border-radius: 4px; -moz-border-radius: 4px; -webkit-border-radius: 4px; background-color: #ff6500; color: #ffffff; width: auto; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; box-shadow: none; -moz-box-shadow: none; -webkit-box-shadow: none;).sp-form .sp-button-container ( text-align: center;)

Accounting for radiation doses

By law, every diagnostic test related to X-ray irradiation, must be recorded in the dose load recording sheet, which is filled out by the radiologist and pasted into your outpatient card. If you are examined in a hospital, then the doctor should transfer these figures to the extract.

In practice, few people comply with this law. At best, you will be able to find the dose you were exposed to in the study report. At worst, you will never know how much energy you received with invisible rays. However, your every right- demand from the radiologist information about how much was “ effective dose exposure” - this is the name of the indicator by which the harm from x-rays is assessed. The effective radiation dose is measured in milli- or microsieverts - abbreviated as mSv or µSv.

Previously, radiation doses were estimated using special tables that contained average figures. Now every modern X-ray machine or computed tomograph has a built-in dosimeter, which immediately after the examination shows the number of sieverts you received.

The radiation dose depends on many factors: the area of ​​the body that was irradiated, the hardness of the X-rays, the distance to the beam tube and, finally, technical characteristics the device itself on which the study was carried out. The effective dose received when examining the same area of ​​the body, e.g. chest, can change two or more times, so after the fact it will be possible to calculate how much radiation you received only approximately. It’s better to find out right away without leaving your office.

Which examination is the most dangerous?

To compare the “harmfulness” various types X-ray diagnostics, you can use the average effective doses given in the table. This is data from methodological recommendations No. 0100/1659-07-26, approved by Rospotrebnadzor in 2007. Every year the technology is improved and the dose load during research can be gradually reduced. Perhaps in clinics equipped with the latest devices, you will receive a lower dose of radiation.

Part of the body, organ	Dose mSv/procedure
	film	digital
Fluorograms
Rib cage	0,5	0,05
Limbs	0,01	0,01
Cervical region spine	0,3	0,03
Thoracic region spine	0,4	0,04
	1,0	0,1
Pelvic organs, hip	2,5	0,3
Ribs and sternum	1,3	0,1
Radiographs
Rib cage	0,3	0,03
Limbs	0,01	0,01
Cervical spine	0,2	0,03
Thoracic spine	0,5	0,06
Lumbar spine	0,7	0,08
Pelvic organs, hip	0,9	0,1
Ribs and sternum	0,8	0,1
Esophagus, stomach	0,8	0,1
Intestines	1,6	0,2
Head	0,1	0,04
Teeth, jaw	0,04	0,02
Kidneys	0,6	0,1
Breast	0,1	0,05
X-ray
Rib cage	3,3
Gastrointestinal tract	20
Esophagus, stomach	3,5
Intestines	12
Computed tomography (CT)
Rib cage	11
Limbs	0,1
Cervical spine	5,0
Thoracic spine	5,0
Lumbar spine	5,4
Pelvic organs, hip	9,5
Gastrointestinal tract	14
Head	2,0
Teeth, jaw	0,05

Obviously, the highest radiation dose can be obtained during fluoroscopy and computed tomography. In the first case, this is due to the duration of the study. Fluoroscopy usually takes a few minutes, and an x-ray is taken in a fraction of a second. Therefore, during dynamic research you are exposed to more radiation. Computed tomography involves a series of images: the more slices, the higher the load, this is the fee for high quality the resulting image. The radiation dose during scintigraphy is even higher, since radioactive elements are introduced into the body. You can read more about the differences between fluorography, radiography and other radiation research methods.

To reduce potential harm from radiology studies, there are remedies. These are heavy lead aprons, collars and plates that a doctor or laboratory assistant must provide you with before making a diagnosis. You can also reduce the risk of an X-ray or CT scan by spacing the studies as far apart as possible. The effects of radiation can accumulate and the body needs to be given time to recover. Trying to get a whole body scan done in one day is unwise.

How to remove radiation after an x-ray?

Ordinary X-rays are the effect on the body of gamma radiation, that is, high-energy electromagnetic oscillations. As soon as the device is turned off, the exposure stops; the radiation itself does not accumulate or collect in the body, so there is no need to remove anything. But during scintigraphy, radioactive elements are introduced into the body, which are the emitters of waves. After the procedure, it is usually recommended to drink more fluids to help get rid of the radiation faster.

What is the acceptable radiation dose for medical research?

How many times can you do fluorography, x-rays or CT scans without causing harm to your health? It is believed that all these studies are safe. On the other hand, they are not performed on pregnant women and children. How to figure out what is truth and what is a myth?

It turns out that there is no permissible dose of radiation for humans when conducting medical diagnostics, even in official documents Ministry of Health. The number of sieverts is subject to strict recording only for X-ray room workers, who are exposed to radiation day after day in company with patients, despite all protective measures. For them, the average annual load should not exceed 20 mSv; in some years, the radiation dose may be 50 mSv, as an exception. But even exceeding this threshold does not mean that the doctor will begin to glow in the dark or will grow horns due to mutations. No, 20–50 mSv is just a limit beyond which the risk increases harmful effects radiation per person. The dangers of average annual doses less than this value could not be confirmed over many years of observations and research. At the same time, it is purely theoretically known that children and pregnant women are more vulnerable to x-rays. Therefore, they are advised to avoid radiation just in case; all studies related to X-ray radiation are carried out only for health reasons.

Dangerous dose of radiation

The dose beyond which radiation sickness begins - damage to the body under the influence of radiation - ranges from 3 Sv for humans. It is more than 100 times higher than the permissible annual average for radiologists, and an ordinary person would receive it with medical diagnostics It's simply impossible.

There is an order from the Ministry of Health that introduces restrictions on the radiation dose for healthy people during medical examinations - this is 1 mSv per year. This usually includes such types of diagnostics as fluorography and mammography. In addition, it is said that it is prohibited to resort to X-ray diagnostics for prophylaxis in pregnant women and children, and it is also impossible to use fluoroscopy and scintigraphy as a preventive study, as they are the most “heavy” in terms of radiation exposure.

Quantity x-rays and tomograms must be limited by the principle of strict reasonableness. That is, research is necessary only in cases where refusing it would cause more harm than the procedure itself. For example, if you have pneumonia, you may need to take a chest x-ray every 7-10 days until complete recovery to monitor the effect of antibiotics. If we are talking about a complex fracture, then the study can be repeated even more often to ensure the correct comparison bone fragments and the formation of callus, etc.

Are there any benefits from radiation?

It is known that in noma a person is affected by natural background radiation. This is, first of all, the energy of the sun, as well as radiation from the bowels of the earth, architectural buildings and other objects. Complete exclusion of the effect of ionizing radiation on living organisms leads to a slowdown in cell division and early aging. Conversely, small doses of radiation have a general strengthening and therapeutic effect. This is the basis of the effect of the famous spa treatment- radon baths.

On average, a person receives about 2–3 mSv of natural radiation per year. For comparison, with digital fluorography you will receive a dose equivalent to natural radiation for 7-8 days a year. And, for example, flying on an airplane gives an average of 0.002 mSv per hour, and even the work of a scanner in the control zone is 0.001 mSv in one pass, which is equivalent to the dose for 2 days of normal life under the sun.

All site materials have been checked by doctors. However, even the most reliable article does not allow us to take into account all the features of the disease in a particular person. Therefore, the information posted on our website cannot replace a visit to the doctor, but only complements it. The articles have been prepared for informational purposes and are advisory in nature. If symptoms appear, please consult a doctor.

One of the radiation diagnostic methods is X-ray transmission, or radiography. The resulting image is applied to a hard drive, special film or paper.

Purpose of the examination

X-ray of the lungs is the most common and informative research method. This diagnostic method allows you to identify the presence of respiratory diseases:

• sarcoidosis;
• pneumonia (pneumonia);
• malignant neoplasms;
• tuberculosis;
• presence of foreign objects;
• pneumothorax and other various pathological processes.

In order to prevent pulmonary diseases among citizens employed in hazardous industries(chemical industry, construction (masons), mining (miners), etc.), once a year (more often if necessary), an x-ray of the lungs is performed. What do the research results show in such cases?

The fluoroscopy response makes it possible to promptly prevent or recognize the disease and prescribe the necessary medication or other therapy.

The effect of radiation on the human body

Radiation exposure is considered radiation exposure, and some people refuse to undergo this procedure. However, this is in vain; in medicine, rays of low energy are used, negligible, and the human body is exposed to them for a short period. A few years ago, scientists proved that even repeated X-rays (for medical indications) are not capable of harming health. In some cases, this procedure is also prescribed for pregnant women. Serious illnesses, which can be diagnosed using X-rays, have more serious consequences than the minimum dose of radiation. As an alternative to conventional traditional X-rays, digital X-rays with an even lower radiation dose are now available.

Indications

Let's consider the symptoms for which the attending doctor prescribes a chest x-ray. What the image shows will determine the tactics for further management of the patient.

1. Periodic pain in the sternum.
2. Dyspnea.
3. High body temperature that lasts for a long time.
4. Blood in sputum.
5. Prolonged exhausting cough.
6. A large amount of sputum discharge.
7. Dry cough.

For the purpose of prevention, fluorography, or x-ray, is indicated to all citizens at least once every two years or more often in accordance with the recommendations of a medical professional.

Preparation and carrying out the procedure

You have been prescribed a lung x-ray, how can you prepare for it? No preliminary preparation is required. Before carrying out the procedure, you must remove jewelry (chains, beads, necklaces) so that they do not distort the result. Immediately before the procedure medical worker will ask you to wear a special skirt that wraps around the waist to protect your genitals from radiation. Next, the doctor selects the required projection (anterior, posterior, or sometimes the picture is taken in a side-lying position).

Depending on the equipment on which the X-ray of the lungs was performed, the results will be instantaneous (digital method) or after some time after processing and developing the film.

X-ray results

Did you take an X-ray of your lungs? Let's look at what the transcript shows below:

1. Diaphragm defects.
2. Presence Rule out tumor or pleurisy.
3. A cavity in the lung indicates necrosis lung tissue. Diagnose tuberculosis, cancer or abscess.
4. Small focal darkening is a sign of pneumonia and tuberculosis. Large - tumor of the bronchi, metastases to the lungs.
5. Small lesions that are very common are sarcoidosis or tuberculosis.
6. A large, round shadow indicates advanced tuberculosis or a malignant neoplasm.

In addition to the above, other changes in the lung tissue and lungs are also detected, which help to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Unfortunately, there are cases and false result, or in cases of conducting research on early stages her illness may not be visible. For an accurate conclusion, in addition to the results obtained, other diagnostic methods are used in addition to X-rays, and the necessary laboratory tests are also carried out.

Dark spots on an x-ray

X-ray showed spots on the lungs? The reasons for their appearance may be: incorrect position of the patient during the procedure, poor-quality equipment, or the presence of pathology. Only a doctor can accurately interpret X-ray data.

Formations in the form of white spots indicate the presence of tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pathology in the pleura, occupational diseases. If a person has had bronchitis or pneumonia, then spots can be detected on an x-ray. They are regarded as residual manifestations of the disease, and they will disappear after some time.

If light spots are found in the upper parts of the lung, then tuberculosis is diagnosed, the main sign at the first stage of which is a light path running from the place where there is an inflammatory process to the root system. With timely and proper treatment inflammation decreases and tissues undergo scarring. Instead of white, a dark spot appears in the photo.

If an x-ray of the lungs shows that black spots are visible, this indicates an exacerbation and the presence of chronic inflammation lungs. After the course drug treatment and complete recovery, the spots disappear. Dark formations can also cause malignant pathologies. Revealing dark spots practically healthy person indicates many years of smoking, in children - a foreign body.

Does X-ray show pneumonia?

X-ray examination for pneumonia is both a method of identifying the disease and monitoring its progress.

In order to recognize pneumonia, you need to know what the spots look like on pictures with this pathology. They may differ in size and location:

• global spotty formations on the entire surface of the lungs;
• subtotal - all fields (with the exception of the upper lobes);
• segmental - spots within the boundaries of a segment;
• small spotted formations up to 3 mm with limited margins.

As a result of the development of the inflammatory process in the human lungs, fuzzy spots with blurred contours are formed and an x-ray shows inflammation of the lungs. The manifestation of spotty formations depends on the stage of the disease. The spots are more pronounced in advanced cases.

for bronchitis

The symptoms of the disease are similar to pneumonia. To confirm the diagnosis during a protracted course of the disease, certain types of examinations are prescribed, including x-rays, which will assess the condition of the organs. respiratory system and clarify the diagnosis.

Symptoms in the patient for which fluorography is indicated (x-ray of the lungs shows bronchitis in this case):

• changes in the blood, according to laboratory tests;
• severe constant shortness of breath;
• prolonged increase in body temperature;
• suspicion of inflammation in the lungs;
• signs of obstruction.

Based on the results of the study, X-ray photographs pay attention to the following points in the lungs:

• fuzzy outlines;
• presence of root deformation;
• changes in the drawing;
• presence of lamellar lesions;
• areas of fluid accumulation.

The opinions of specialists about the information content of X-rays in identifying the disease bronchitis are divided. However, this type of research is widely used in practical medicine.

X-ray for tuberculosis

If you suspect this serious disease this type examination of the lungs will exclude or confirm pathology.

The advantages of fluoroscopy for pulmonary tuberculosis are the ability to:

• conduct various diagnostics illness;
• exclude other pathologies of the respiratory system, such as pneumonia, cancer, abscess and others;
• determine the nature of damage to lung tissue;
• see the extent of the lesion;
• see the location of pathological foci.

Therefore, the question of whether an x-ray will show pulmonary tuberculosis can be answered in the affirmative. However, this does not exclude additional manipulations to accurately confirm the diagnosis. X-rays reveal different types tuberculosis:

• intrathoracic lymph nodes;
• disseminated;
• focal;
• infiltration;
• caseous pneumonia;
• fibrous-cavernous;
• cirrhotic.

Does X-ray show lung cancer?

This disease is one of the most serious human ailments in recent decades. Chest X-ray is considered diagnostic method identifying this pathology at the earliest stages of its development. Signs or symptoms of the disease may include:

• lethargy, constant drowsiness and weakness;
• performance at zero;
• regular fevers with apparent well-being;
• dyspnea;
• whistling breathing;
• lingering cough that does not respond to therapy;
• secretion of sputum with blood;
• lack of appetite;
• during coughing attacks, the presence of pain.

To exclude the disease, the doctor prescribes an examination. An X-ray will definitely show lung cancer, since this method is highly informative.

Depending on the type of tumor and its location, the picture will be different. X-ray images. For staging accurate diagnosis the attending doctor will conduct additional examinations and, appreciating general state patient, prescribe adequate therapy.

X-ray of the lungs in children

If your child is prescribed an x-ray, you should familiarize yourself with the following points:

• is there an alternative type of examination;
• Is there a vital need for this procedure?

If in doubt, seek advice from another specialist.

In exceptional cases, the younger generation is prescribed radiography. Basically, when this is the only manipulation with which it is possible to exclude or confirm the diagnosis.

One of the parents also comes into the office with the child. In order to reduce the negative effects of radiation, all areas of the body of the baby and his representative are protected with lead shields. The procedure lasts a few minutes, and your baby will not get tired. If an X-ray of the lungs shows that there is a focus of pathology, the doctor will prescribe treatment and the child will recover quickly.

X-ray is effective method diagnostics various diseases and in experienced hands provides invaluable assistance to the medical community.

X-ray examination is an indispensable and accessible diagnostic method that helps the doctor quickly and informatively identify pathologies, as well as prescribe the correct treatment. Since X-rays are based on the use of radioactive radiation, it is necessary to know acceptable standards irradiation and cases when the procedure is replaced alternative method examinations.

What is the danger of x-rays and its consequences?

Allowable passing frequency

Allowable frequency X-ray examination is determined by the attending physician, depending on the disease and characteristic features body. Only one diagnostic event is carried out during the day, if necessary reanalysis it will take a few days to wait.

How often can an x-ray be taken? If diagnostics are carried out using old-style X-ray machines, it is worth remembering some recommendations:

• X-ray of teeth. If a lateral X-ray is performed, examination is allowed up to 5 times a year. With direct X-ray and simultaneous scanning of the brain - no more than once a year.
• Nasal scan. It is recommended no more than once a year.
• X-ray of the skull. The procedure is carried out no more than once a year to avoid negative effects on brain tissue.
• X-ray of the spine. It is recommended no more than once a year.

If a repeat scan is necessary, doctors advise contacting specialized centers that have modern X-ray equipment. This equipment reduces radiation exposure tenfold.

Taking X-rays using new-style machines up to 5-6 times a year.

What is the permissible dose and how to reduce the radiation load

For the purpose of control ionizing radiation, after each procedure in medical card The patient enters data on the load received.

To minimize radiation and reduce it negative influence used on the body:

• protective glass plates;
• X-ray protective screen;
• aprons based on lead material.

According to regulatory documents on radiation safety, the permissible radiation dose for one person is no more than 5 mSV per year. For children and patients during pregnancy (lactation), the dose is halved.

X-rays during pregnancy

If a bone fracture is suspected, radiography is performed with simultaneous screening of the pelvic area, mammary glands and abdomen. After such a study, it is recommended to additionally perform an ultrasound of the fetus to confirm the absence of adverse changes.

MRI is a highly informative research method, but its purpose is not always reasonable. Thus, computed tomography is used to examine parts of the body (chest, abdomen, spine.). MRI is rather used to study a specific organ (brain, heart, pancreas, bone marrow).

If you need to undergo high-quality diagnostics bone tissue, then you need to turn to an x-ray or CT scan. If diagnostics of soft tissues and organs is required, then MRI is the best way to identify pathological processes.

Even with modern digital equipment, x-rays remain an indispensable method for identifying pathologies, in particular bone tissue. To minimize the risks of the negative impact of the procedure, you should undergo it according to the doctor’s indications, and not prescribe it yourself.

Video

To figure out which is more harmful, X-ray, MRI or CT, we suggest watching this video.

How many times a year can an x-ray be taken? The answer to this question depends on many factors. It is necessary to take into account the patient's age, purpose and type of study. Don't forget about contraindications. Thus, pregnancy significantly limits the ability to diagnose injuries and diseases and is a direct prohibition for screening examinations.

X-ray examination can be carried out for preventive and diagnostic purposes

SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03 clearly regulates only radiation exposure during preventive studies (for more details, see below). If x-rays act as a method for diagnosing diseases, the number of images is not limited to specific numbers. However, there are recommendations whose goal is to reduce the radiation exposure of the patient and prevent negative consequences irradiation.

Rules for conducting screening studies

Screening (translated from English as “selection”) – diagnostic measures, performed for early diagnosis diseases. These include 2 studies related to patient exposure: fluorography and mammography. X-ray images of the lungs and mammary glands, performed for preventive purposes, are necessary for diagnosing in the early stages of such dangerous pathologies like tuberculosis and cancer.

How many times can X-rays be taken as part of screening programs? It is enough to undergo fluorography once a year. If signs are detected in the image pathological process the patient is sent for further examination: chest x-ray, CT scan, laboratory tests, etc. Mammography is indicated for women over 35 years of age for early diagnosis of breast cancer. According to the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 572n dated November 1, 2012 (as amended on June 11, 2015), patients aged 35-50 years old are sent for mammography once every 2 years, over 50 years old - once a year.

Radiation exposure from preventive imaging should not exceed 1 mSv per year. This study is permitted for patients over 14 years of age. In the event of an unfavorable epidemiological situation, the age threshold may be reduced to 12 years. However, screening X-ray examinations are not performed for younger children and pregnant women.

Harmful effects of X-rays

Radiography allows us to examine bones, and when contrast is used, most internal organs person. However, x-rays also have a negative effect on the patient’s body. Of course, it is extremely difficult to provoke radiation sickness with frequent x-rays. Acute form This disease develops when exposed to a dose of at least 1 Gy (1000 mSv). For chronic radiation sickness, the minimum load threshold is lower and amounts to 0.1-0.5 Gy/day (100-500 mSv/day). However, the total dose must exceed 0.7-1.0 Gy, and the radiation must act on the body continuously for a long time.

Performing a diagnostic radiograph is not accompanied by such a high radiation dose. The dose received by the patient per examination is in the range of 0.01-1.6 mSv and 0.01-0.2 mSv for film and digital images, respectively. With CT or fluoroscopy, the load increases. In the first case, doses range from 0.05 mSv during examination maxillofacial area, up to 14 mSv when studying the gastrointestinal tract. In the second - from 3.3 mSv when examining the chest organs to 20 mSv when examining the digestive tract in 1 procedure.

However, small doses of radiation are not harmless. Possible consequences are not limited to deterministic effects (radiation sickness). Irradiation causes damage to the genetic apparatus, which in the future can cause the development of tumors, including malignant ones. A mutation affecting germ cells will affect the health of the offspring. Unlike deterministic effects, the effects listed above do not have a dose threshold that must be exceeded, and do not appear immediately. But this does not mean that any, even the most insignificant, radiation in a few years will lead to the appearance of cancerous tumor. The dose size affects only the likelihood of such an outcome. However, the consequences may not occur.

The radiation load experienced by the patient's body when performing X-ray studies, is not sufficient to cause life-threatening complications. And strict adherence to recommendations to reduce the negative effects of X-ray radiation makes the onset of long-term consequences unlikely.

How to reduce radiation exposure to a patient?

Different types of X-ray examinations carry different radiation loads

The safe radiation dose for a patient according to SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03 is on average 1 mSv/year over the last 5 years and should not be more than 5 mSv/year. When performing only preventive studies, these indicators are not exceeded. The radiation dose for fluorography is 0.05 or 0.5 mSv for a digital or film device, respectively, for radiography of the mammary glands - 0.05 or 0.1 mSv.

However, according to clinical indications, in case of illness or injury, additional images, fluoroscopy, and CT may be prescribed. If necessary, assessment pathological changes in dynamics, the study is often repeated, the same area of ​​the body is exposed to radiation 2 or more times. This, of course, significantly increases the radiation dose to the patient. For example, if you take an X-ray of the spine at the level lumbar region in 2 projections on a film apparatus, the dose received will be 1.4 mSv, which will exceed the safe value of 1 mSv/year.

How often can you take x-rays to stay within the recommended range? When prescribing an x-ray, the doctor must take into account the dose that the patient will receive during the examination. However, the diagnostic value of the method for a specific case of disease is of paramount importance. If there are indications for an x-ray and it cannot be replaced with another method that is comparable in information content and safer, the study should be performed.

Personal X-ray protection equipment

In this situation, special attention should be paid to measures to reduce the radiation dose:

• Research time. Exposure to radiation should be short-term. For this reason, fluoroscopy should be avoided.
• Reducing the number of shots. This can be achieved by eliminating projections that do not have of great importance to visualize a specific pathology. If you need to inspect 2 or more areas, you can try to take a photo that covers several adjacent areas. Of course, if this does not affect the information content of the study.
• The appointment of a repeat examination should be justified, and the consequences of refusing it should not exceed the risk of adverse events.
• Use of protective equipment.

The accumulated dose should not exceed 500 mSv. If this has already happened or Last year the patient took pictures at 200 mSv, further studies are limited.

We should not forget about contraindications. X-rays without contrast are permitted for almost all patients. It cannot be prescribed only to pregnant women, but in this case exceptions are possible. If failure to complete the study will result in severe consequences for the patient’s health, and other diagnostic methods will not help provide the necessary information about the pathology, it is undesirable to refuse the procedure.

The duration of pregnancy also matters. If possible, x-rays should be delayed until the third trimester. If this cannot be done, the image is performed with the maximum possible protection of the fetus from radiation.

X-ray examinations prescribed for clinical indications are performed as many times as required. Therefore, answering the question of how often X-rays of the lungs and other organs can be taken is not so easy. It all depends on the situation.

X-ray in childhood

X-ray in childhood carried out strictly according to indications

How often can a child be x-rayed? For patients over 14 years of age, adult recommendations apply. When examining children younger than this age, procedures involving radiation should be avoided whenever possible. If you still need to give your child an X-ray, preference is given to methods with the lowest radiation exposure. Thus, fluoroscopy is not prescribed for children. Preventive examinations (fluorography) are allowed for patients over 14 years of age. An X-ray of the lungs of a child under this age can only be done if indicated. Special attention is given to radiation protection. In infants and children younger age The entire body should be shielded except for the areas being examined.

Performing X-rays on young patients is challenging. And although at 2 years old a child already understands adults well, getting cooperation from younger children is usually problematic. In this case, you have to resort to fixing the patient using special devices or attracting assistants. X-rays for children under 12 years of age are performed in the presence of an accompanying person, usually a parent.

Each of us has done it at least once in our lives X-ray examination. And you will probably be familiar with at least one of the terms such as fluorography of the lungs (image of the chest organs), mammography (image of the mammary glands) or computed tomography (CT, study different organs). All this is due to x-ray radiation. And most often, patients are prescribed a regular x-ray (for example, in case of serious injuries, to understand whether there are fractures).

Moreover, in order to receive an appointment for such a diagnosis, it is not necessary to break any limb or catch dangerous disease. Some X-ray examinations are also carried out for preventive purposes. For example, fluorography for the prevention of tuberculosis is recommended once a year.

Without going into complicated details, X-ray radiation can be described as follows. This is a stream of electromagnetic waves that can penetrate body tissues. Thanks to special devices, a picture of the “translated” insides appears. This gives doctors the opportunity to assess character internal damage. Of course, this method helps doctors make diagnoses faster and more reliably and save the patient’s life.

But there are also disadvantages - radiation from an X-ray machine can negatively affect the human body. First and foremost terrible consequence, which is worth remembering is cancer.

As stated in the report of the Moscow department of Rospotrebnadzor for 2017, the “average annual effective dose” of radiation per Moscow resident is 3.95 mSv (millisieverts). As already Life, this is quite a bit: the maximum permissible value is five times more.

At the same time, a fifth of the annual radiation dose is medical research. In general, this is not the most terrifying figure.

But this is the "average temperature in the hospital." After all, one person can do two or three X-ray examinations a year, and the second - none at all. Of course, in the first case, the radiation dose will be many times greater.

CT against children

Fluorography and radiography cause damage to the body by less than 1 mSv at a time (this is a fairly small dose). And a CT scan of the whole body is 25–30 mSv (this is more than the permissible annual value). In some cases, fears that oncological diseases may develop after frequent x-ray examinations, are justified.

Recently, scientists from the Ural Institute of Biophysics published a study on this issue. 890 children and adolescents were under the supervision of specialists for 10 years. They all went through a CT scanner, with an average radiation dose of about 2 mSv per time. So - 12 of them by the time they finished scientific research diagnosed with cancer.

The scientists clarified that they do not have reliable evidence that the children got sick precisely because of the radiation dose on CT scans and therefore plan to continue research in this area.

There is more benefit than harm

Photo: © RIA Novosti/Kirill Kallinikov

According to toxicologist-radiologist Alexander Grebenyuk, there is still no need to panic - radiation exposure in most X-ray studies generally “fits” into the natural radiation background. As for CT scanning, the expert emphasized that this procedure should under no circumstances be done without a doctor’s prescription. In general, this applies to both x-rays and fluorography - it’s not worth taking risks unnecessarily.

Radiation does not cause illness instantly. The danger is long-term exposure, he said. - Under the influence of electromagnetic waves, the human body loses its protective properties, its immunity becomes less resistant to diseases (including diseases of the cardiovascular system, oncology, etc.). But it is difficult to prove that it was radiation that caused the disease. clear scientific evidence No.