Ultrasound of the spine (cervical department): indications, interpretation of the results, prices

Ultrasound is a non-invasive examination of the internal organs and systems of the body through ultrasound penetrating between tissues. Currently, it is extremely popular, because it is simple and informative. Ultrasound can detect the disease at an early stage, assess the condition of the fetus during pregnancy, and perform a diagnosis before urgent surgical intervention.

One of the main advantages of ultrasound is safety. Ultrasonic waves do not harm the human body, so the method can be used even several times in one day. Pregnant, to exclude the pathology of the fetus, it is also carried out very often, because other methods of research can harm the future baby.

In addition to ultrasound of internal organs, the ultrasound of the spine and vessels is actively used. In our article we will consider ultrasound of the spine of the cervical and vessels.

We do ultrasound of the cervical spine

Ultrasound tells about the condition of soft tissues, cartilage, interarticular fluids. With it, you can see the changes that occur in the discs of the spine. This makes it possible to detect in time the dystrophic processes caused by the disease or age. In most cases, the ultrasound of the cervical spine is no less informative than magnetic resonance imaging. But the price of the last procedure is much more expensive.

Ultrasound of the spine of the cervical department allows you to obtain important information. In particular, it shows:

• How do intervertebral discs feel?
• Hernias and protrusions of discs;
• Stenosis (constriction) of intervertebral canals;
• Anomalies in the spine;
• Degree of flexure of the spine;
• Spinal cord and its condition.

The ultrasound of the spine of the cervical department is shown when:

• Frequent pain in the head, irradiating in the area of the shoulder and hand, feeling dizzy;
• Discomfort in the neck and chest, the inability to freely rotate the neck;
• Numbness of hands, face;
• Osteochondrosis of the neck;
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia, which causes changes in blood pressure due to poor blood flow to the vessels of the head;
• Decreased hearing and vision;
• Deterioration of mental activity.

The thing is that the neck can become the focus of many problems. It is connected with the head, therefore, mental activity, hearing and vision, and also a nervous condition directly depend on its condition (that is why problems with it lead to neuroses and insomnia). However, this is not all. Each cervical vertebra is associated with certain organs. For example, with the defeat of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7), a person has a dysfunction of the thyroid gland. In the end, not knowing these nuances, we can not fully restore our health. In fact we treat shchitovidku, and it is necessary to treat a neck! Even more informative is the complex ultrasound of the cervical spine and ultrasound of the neck and head.

Ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and head

It's no secret that a good condition of the vessels is the most important factor in the health of the body. However, our vessels in the process of life are subjected to terrible tests - this is smoking, and improper nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle, and harmful work. Ultrasound examination of the vessels of the neck and head is called UZGD (ultrasound dopplerography). This is one type of ultrasound, the price of which is slightly higher than the classical ultrasound. The main task of the UZGD is to prevent a stroke in time. Let's consider, in what cases the ultrasound of the vessels of the cervical department is carried out for prophylaxis.

1. After 40 years, when the vessels become less elastic and durable. This category especially includes men, because they have strokes more often and are more difficult than women.
2. Patients with diabetes mellitus. This disease affects the condition of blood vessels.
3. People with high cholesterol in the blood. In addition to cholesterol, it is dangerous to increase triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins. The latter is determined after a lipidogram.
4. Smokers.
5. People with heart disease or arrhythmia.
6. Hypertension.
7. Persons with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
8. Before the planned surgical intervention.

Therefore it is extremely important, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, periodically to do ultrasound.

What determines UZGD?

First, it gives a general idea of the condition of the walls of the vessels, their elasticity and tone. Also, the sonologist determines the degree of vasoconstriction, the presence of blood clots and atherosclerotic plaques. According to the results of the study, the doctor can determine what is the probability that the thrombus will detach from the vessel wall and clog it. The specialist determines the state of other, additional vessels, their pathological connections and extension sites.

How to prepare for the procedure?

No specific measures are required, but doctors advise that on the day of the head and neck ultrasound, they should not drink tea, coffee or alcohol. Talk with your doctor about the likelihood of abolishing medications that affect the heart and blood vessels, before the procedure. In order not to distort the picture, it is undesirable to have a few hours before the study.

Preliminarily remove all ornaments, so that nothing interferes with the work of the sonologist.

Conduction of ultrasound of the head and neck

The patient lies on the couch, placing a roll under the neck for better access. The doctor applies a special gel-like remedy on the neck area, turns away the patient's head and starts to drive the sensor along the carotid artery, starting from its lower part. Vertebral arteries are also examined. The procedure lasts about half an hour.

How to decipher the results of ultrasound?

Having received the results, many people are faced with the fact that they can not decipher what they have written.

1. Sleepy artery. Its right side has a length of 7-12 cm. The left side has a length of 10-15 cm. It is divided into external and internal, or external (ICA and NSA). Systolic-diastolic ratio is 25-30%. The tortuosity or lack of it in the BCA is the norm.
2. The blood in the vertebral artery pulsates continuously.
3. The thyroid gland normally has a uniform echostructure, an even and clear contour, almost identical lobes. The width of the gland is up to 25 mm, the length is up to 50 mm, and in the width up to 20 mm.
4. Plaques and thrombi absent.
5. The passage of the vessel may be different, but the lower it is, the greater the degree of stenosis and the more affected the organs through which blood flows through it.
6. At an oncology of a larynx of US at an early stage reveals metastasises in cervical lymphonoduses. In this case, there is a chance to help the patient in time by surgical intervention.

Assign the study to both adults and toddlers of different ages.

Ultrasound of the cervical department for children

Unlike the roentgenogram, the ultrasound of the cervical department does not cause harm to the child, it is an absolutely safe method of investigation. Although doctors are still arguing about possible harm to ultrasound radiation for children and pregnant women, this theory has no confirmation. And ultrasound is still a painless and safe method of diagnosis.

Although not showing the condition of the vertebrae itself, ultrasound helps diagnose spinal problems in newborn infants who have no clearly expressed symptoms. Yes, and complain about a certain discomfort, they also can not. So ultrasound remains the only way to check for abnormalities in the vertebral column of the child. The study shows damage to the vertebral arteries, spinal cord, which in the future can significantly affect the development of the baby.

Where to make ultrasound in Moscow

Many are interested in where to make ultrasound in Moscow. In the Russian capital, it can be done in almost any medical center. Here are a few popular clinics:

1. Treatment and Diagnostic Center in Vernadsky.
2. "Doctor Near" (a network of clinics).
3. Dobrromed (a network of clinics).
4. "Medclub".
5. Medico-diagnostic center "Galem".
6. "Diamed".

In the state polyclinic, you can also make ultrasound, and, given certain factors, for free.

How much does an ultrasound in Moscow cost?

Ultrasound, the price of which is indicated in the price list of any clinic, it is desirable to do about once every six months. On average, its cost is from 1000 to 2000 rubles. It all depends on what kind of clinic you turned to, because the price policy in honey. Centers are different.