Despite the emergence of such new and advanced technologies as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the X-ray method of diagnostics stays leading in the diagnosis of many diseases because of it swiftness and simplicity of implementation that does not require special preparation of the patient. A major role is also played by the widespread availability of this diagnostic method to patients alongside with its high informativity and low cost.
X-ray examination of the organs allows to specify their form, position, tonus, peristaltics, the state of the relief of mucus membrane:
- X-ray study of the gastrointestinal tract is performed to diagnose inflammation, ulcers, polyps, diverticulitis, bowel obstruction and tumors,
- X-ray examination of biliary tract is performed to assess the contours, dimensions and lumen of intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts, to reveal the presence or absence of concrements,
- chest X-ray allows to diagnose the infections, neoplastic and other diseases of the organs located in the thorax,
- X-ray examination of the spine allows to detect degenerative-dystrophic (osteocspondilosis, spondylosis, spinal kyphosis and scoliosis), inflammatory and neoplastic diseases,
- X-ray examination of different parts of musculoskeletal system is performed for the definition of different traumatic (fractures, dislocations), infectious and systemic pathologies of bones and joints, neoplastic diseases,
- X-ray examination of abdominal cavity defines the presence of perforation of the organs of gastro-intestinal tract, kidney’s function (excretory urography) or other changes,
- Contrast X-ray examination of uterus and the patency of fallopian tubes - metrosalpingography,
- X-ray examination of the breast – mammography.
In general, there is no need for special preparation of the patients for X-ray examination except the study of digestive system.
The X-ray examinations are extremely required in traumatology and orthopedics. This is a fast, simple, easy available and not expensive method, which allows in many cases immediately after performance to make diagnosis and prescribe the treatment.
In orthopedics X-ray is used to determine the integrity of bone and joint. Besides the usual studies the methods to assess the three-dimensional structure of the bones are currently used. This is particularly actual for emergency surgery, because this method allows accurately determine the line of fracture.
Digital X-ray equipment of the Department allows very quickly obtain the digital images, which significantly cuts the time waiting of the result, reduces radiation exposure, and increases the quality of images.
In the X-ray Department of MC Erebouni is carried out the contrasting X-ray examination of the uterus and the patency of fallopian tubes - hysterosalpingography (HSG) which are one of the methods of diagnostics of the state of uterus and the fallopian tubes and method of definition of anatomic changes in the uterus and adhesions in the pelvis.
Conducting these examinations is painless and requires no anesthesia. They are performed on outpatient bases.
Indications for the conduction of HSG in the gynecological practice are:
- Tubal infertility – to determine the tubal patency,
- Bicornuate uterus, presence of septum in the uterus or other anatomical anomalies - to detect the presence of anatomical abnormalities in the uterine,
- Suspicion of the presence of adhesions in the small pelvises – for the confirmation or denial of diagnosis,
- Suspicion of the presence of submucosal myoma of uterus
- Suspicion of the presence of endometriosis of uterus (adenomiosis).
The Department is also carried out X-ray examination of urinary tract, so-called excretory urography.
This study is based on the capability of the kidneys to excrete injected to the body certain radiopaque substances. As a result it is possible to obtain the image of these organs on X-ray images so to identify the pathology in these organs.
X-ray Densitometry Service
The X-ray department also operates the service of X-ray osteodensitometry. Densitometry - the only diagnostic method that can reliably identify bone mineral density that is necessary for the prevention and early diagnosis of osteoporosis, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of its therapy.
The standard X-ray study also allows to diagnose osteoporosis, when bone loss is greater than 25 to 30%. While densitometry makes possible to evaluate bone loss of up to 2-5%, which is invaluable for the prevention of fracture risk and diagnosing osteoporosis in its early stages of development. Early detection of osteoporosis allows the doctor to begin timely and early treatment, which is able not only prevent further development of this disease, but also contributes almost complete recovery of bone mineral density.
The amount of calcium in the bone tissue begins to decrease after 30 years and at 50 years of age may reach to its critical minimum, often causing fractures of the spine and femoral neck at this age, leading to disability. Therefore diagnostics of bone state in adulthood is particularly important.
Most often densitometry is performed for main two areas: lumbosacral spine and hip, where happens most osteoporosis-related fractures. In case of necessity the measurement of bone density of hip, bone of the forearm or bones of whole body can be performed.
Densitometry is a X-ray study of bones with a low dose of ionizing radiation by two streams (dexa or dxa "dual energy X-ray absorptiometry" (dual- energy x-ray absorptiometry)), allowing to conduct a study quickly and accurately.
The procedures which are performed on the equipment of Department - Hologic QDR 4500 Elite Acclaim Series, accompanied by the dose of radiation less than 1/10 of the dose of standard chest X-ray.
The indications for densitometry are:
- Early menopause - menopause before 45 years of age;
- Natural menopause;
- Renal failure;
- Chronic liver disease;
- Long-term use of corticosteroids;
- Malabsorption syndrome;
- Prolonged immobility;
- Rheumatoid arthritis;
- Hereditary osteoporosis - a history of the patient or his parents hip fracture after a minor injury;
- Bone fractures after minor injury;
- Unexplained decrease in growth of more than 3 cm;
- Alcohol abuse, smoking more than a pack of cigarettes a day;
- As preventive examination the densitometry is recommended to pass two times per year for women aged> 65 years, women <65 years after menopause with risk factors for bone loss, and men over 70 years.
The MC Erebuni practiced multidisciplinary team work: in difficult diagnostic situations the specialists of all related specialties are involved.
Doctors of the department and technicians are highly qualified and have been trained in leading clinics of Europe.
Department of X-ray diagnostics of Erebouni Medical Centre is equipped with the high quality medical equipment that ensures the radiation safety and high diagnostic capability.
X-ray diagnostic system Multix PRO/TO, Axiom Multix, and also fluoroscopic device Luminos R Classic of Siemens give the opportunity to obtain the high quality results. The study is accompanied with the low dose of radiation.
At the request the patient receives the image on the CD, and also target X-ray images (at the case of scope).
Photo laboratory of X-ray service is equipped with mechanical and digital machines that give the opportunity to receive the high quality images very quickly. As result the doctors are able in very short time give their resolutions and conclusions regarding the patient diagnoses.
- X-ray diagnostic system Multix PRO / TO, Axiom Multix
- fluoroscopic unit Luminos R Classic from Siemens
- Densitometer - Hologic QDR 4500 Elite Acclaim Series
The priority directions of the department activity are:
- X-ray and fluoroscopic study of the chest,
- Studies of bone and joints
At the department had been developed the additional device-adaptor to the X-ray machine for axial images of the joints, which makes possible better visualize the femoral-patellar slot , which is inaccessible in standard projections.
- Scoping Study of the gastrointestinal tract, oral contrast dynamic study, irrigoradiography,
- X-ray study of the skull: target X-ray images of skull bones,
- X-ray study of the spine with functional tests,
- X-ray diagnosis of urinary tract (scoping study, intravenous excretory urography, cystography),
- Hysterosalpingography, fistulography, X-ray osteodensitometry.
The priorities of the service densitometry are:
- Densitometric study of the lumbar spine
- Densitometric study of hip joints
- Densitometric study of the forearm
- A study of the thoracic spine in 2 projections for the purpose of detecting the presence of compression fractures
- Densitometric study of the whole body
- Determination of the absolute risk of fracture in men and women older than 40 years
Osteoporosis is considered a disease of the elderly, but the process of bone loss begins much earlier and, therefore, another priority is
- Early detection of bone loss in middle-aged and young of both sexes.
|Naira Minasyan, MD Write a letter Head of X-ray Department radiologist|
|Alla Djilavyan, MD Write a letter roentgenologist||Arman Gevorgyan, MD Write a letter radiologist|
|Vardan Anapiosyan, MD Write a letter roentgenologist||Zara Ayvazyan, MD Write a letter roentgenologist|
|Narine Aslanyan Write a letter radiologist|
Department of Radiodiagnostics
Employees engaged in teaching activities
Assistant Proffessor Annie Ohanian
Around 40 students in a year are trained in the field of Radiodiagnostics at the Bachelor and Master degrees program from the Armenian Medical Institute (AMI).