Ultrasound of the thoracic spine shows what. How is an ultrasound of the spine and its parts performed? What diseases can ultrasound diagnostics show?

The peculiarity of back diseases is that any problems weaken not only the spine or skeletal system of a person, but also negatively affect the entire body. Inflammatory processes interfere with the flow of bloodstream nutrients, the supply of muscle and bone tissue is disrupted. As a result, problems with the spine may cause, for example, changes in visual acuity or ringing in the ears. Ultrasound of the spine allows both to diagnose many diseases at the initial stage and to determine the cause of an existing disease.

Ultrasound of the spine is a safe way to diagnose back diseases

But why ultrasound of the spine, since there are now a lot of diagnostic methods? The main reason is the safety and high information content of the examination. It does not require special preparation (except for nutrition, see below) or confidence in the need for the procedure.

Often, the advantages of ultrasound include comparative cheapness - this is true when compared with the cost of MRI of the spine and computed tomography, but the more obvious advantage is the following: only you can decide to perform an ultrasound on your own, without a doctor’s testimony or previous injuries.

X-rays are undesirable due to radiation, especially for people at risk: children, pregnant and nursing mothers, and the elderly. In addition, it does not show soft tissue.

MRI has a radiation that is different from X-ray, but still, and the sound of the operating device, due to vibration, has a negative effect even through headphones worn during the examination. Prescribing a puncture for an intervertebral hernia is the exclusive prerogative of the doctor, as is arthroscopy, which is performed if all other examinations fail. Therefore, only ultrasound can be recommended almost always (except for injuries, when the doctor decides).

Other advantages of all types of ultrasound, in particular ultrasound of the spine:

quick diagnosis: usually the doctor explains the results in detail, in addition, the patient can ask questions directly during the examination;
no pain;
There is no limitation on the frequency of examination at all stages of diagnosis, treatment and recovery period.

Spinal examination is recommended for pain in the head, neck, back and limbs

The following complaints and symptoms may be indications for an ultrasound of the spine:

Any unpleasant sensations and back pain, including those that refer to other places - in chest, lower back.
Regular numbness in any part of the body.
Constant, high-intensity headaches, as well as regular dizziness and fainting of unknown origin. The cervical spine is checked first.
Pain in the neck, pain when trying to tilt/turn your head.
Visual/hearing/memory impairments of unknown origin. The cervical spine is also checked; in this and the previous case, an ultrasound of the vessels of the brain and neck should first be done.
Postural disorders that make it painful/impossible to get into the correct position.
Difficulty breathing and frequent changes in its type (thoracic, abdominal), frequent shortness of breath, blood pressure disorders. Attention! First you need to check the respiratory system and do an ultrasound of the heart.
Pain in the limbs, pain in the bones, in the sacral region, lumbago, difficulty moving. First, you need to examine the place where the pain is localized.

Diagnosed diseases

The possibility of diagnosing a specific disease depends on which part of the spine the ultrasound is performed - cervical, lumbar or lumbosacral. For examination thoracic Due to the inaccessibility of the ultrasound sensor, MRI and CT are used: with the help of ultrasound, the thoracic region can only be examined in newborns.

Spine ultrasound procedure

What can be diagnosed and/or determined by ultrasound cervical spine spine and lumbar:

disintegration, cracks, changes in the intervertebral disc (in particular, the degree of wear);
condition of cartilage, soft and bone tissues;
condition of the spinal lining;
age-related changes;
presence/absence of interarticular fluid, its nature;
the presence of rheumatoid synovitis;
in children over 1 year of age - developmental anomalies;
intensity of the deformation process in osteochondrosis;
dynamics of recovery after surgery;
absence/presence of tumors;
swelling of the yellow ligament - ultrasound of the lumbar spine.

Separately, an ultrasound of the cervical spine will show:

condition of the intervertebral segments, degree of inclination, flexion, extension of the cervical spine;
birth injuries, their consequences (specialized ultrasound of the cervical spine in infants is recommended);
torticollis.

The choice of a specific type of ultrasound of the spine depends on the location of the pain (if it is severe).

Ultrasound examination of the lumbosacral area is prescribed for numbness and tingling in the legs, lumbago, pain in the pelvis and pelvic bones, osteochondrosis of the lower spine.

An ultrasound of the spine is also performed if there is a diagnosis - to confirm, obtain a clearer picture of the disease and individualize the choice of therapy.

The main diseases are: arthrosis and rheumatism, hernias, osteochondrosis, protursion of intervertebral discs, scoliosis.

Preparing for the study

A little preparation will be required for the examination of the lumbar region: in the evening, at least 8 hours before the scheduled time of the ultrasound, food intake is stopped, bread (sweet and black), all dairy products, fresh ones, and beans are excluded from the menu for several days. Espumisan is taken during all or the last day of preparation, if there is a doctor’s instructions, in the dosage prescribed by him.

Ultrasound examination is one of the most popular among instrumental methods diagnostics It is used to visualize the soft tissues of the body. Over time, the method was adapted for most parts of the body, and recently, ultrasound of the spine has been performed using the device.

Bone structures on the monitor are visible in the form of layers that give a strong acoustic signal. Such a drawing is not informative, so dense formations are not the goal of the method. Ultrasound examinations of the spine are used only to determine the condition of soft tissue organs and their parts. These include the following:

ligaments between vertebrae;
intervertebral discs;
back muscles;
spinal cord;
spinal membrane;
vascular cords.

The main pathologies detected by ultrasound of the spine are:

hernial protrusions;
tumors;
softening and hardening of intervertebral discs;
developmental anomalies;
traumatic injuries;
spinal cord rupture;
swelling of the ligamentous apparatus;
spinal deformities.

The study may reveal additional data on the condition of neighboring organs: kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, uterus. Information is used when differential diagnosis diseases.

Methodology

For ultrasound of the spine, a conventional convex sensor with a wave frequency of 2.0-3.5 MHz is used. Almost all medical institutions have such equipment. If you plan to study the vascular pattern, the sensor must have a Doppler channel with a frequency of 2.0 MHz. This type of ultrasound device belongs to the expert class.

If the material supply of an institution allows the purchase of more expensive equipment, preference is given to ultrasound scanners with 3D functions. This allows the doctor to build a three-dimensional image. Each part of the spine has its own specific techniques.

Diagnosis of pathologies of the cervical spine

For ultrasound of the cervical vertebrae, it is desirable to use microconvex sensors with standard frequency. If the necessary attachments are not available, vaginal and rectal sensors can be used. No special patient preparation is required.

The patient's position is sitting or lying on his back. The most informative is the anterolateral approach to the right and left of the trachea. In this case, the horizontal and vertical positions of the ultrasonic device are used. Such visualization allows you to assess the condition of all structures and avoid acoustic interference. The doctor examines with a sensor from the collarbone to the lower jaw. It is somewhat difficult to study only the first vertebrae due to the shadow from the base of the skull and jaw bones.

A separate group of patients cannot undergo ultrasound of the cervical vertebrae. Contraindications are:

old age;
fixed neck position;
fusion of vertebral bodies;
sharp thinning of the intervertebral discs according to x-ray results;
the presence of a bone block after stabilizing operations on the cervical spine.

In infants, the ultrasound diagnostic method of the upper spine is used for early detection of torticollis, birth injuries, and developmental disorders of anatomical structures. For a child, ultrasound is the preferred method of examination due to its safety and simplicity. If necessary, it can be repeated several times to assess the dynamics of the condition, while the radiation exposure will be minimal.

If a birth injury is suspected in children, ultrasound can determine the condition of the spinal membranes, the presence of developmental anomalies, and the functioning of the spinal vessels. Connecting a Doppler allows you to simultaneously evaluate the blood flow of the carotid arteries.

Thoracic examination

Visualization of the middle part of the spinal column is significantly difficult. An image of the sternum and ribs is superimposed on the area of the vertebrae. In addition, air-filled lung tissue is a significant obstacle to ultrasound of the thoracic spine. Doctors often have to choose: ultrasound of the spine or MRI, which will better show the problem area, which method is safer and cheaper. In the case of examination of the thoracic region, preference is always given to computer and radiation technologies. These include MRI, CT, and X-ray diagnostics.

Examination of the lumbar spine

Indications for ultrasound of the lumbar spine are:

all radicular syndromes. Ultrasound allows you to determine which particular disc compression led to the development of the symptom complex;
presence of pain syndromes. Ultrasonography shows where hernias, protrusions, narrowing of the spinal canal or swelling of the ligament are located;
routine diagnostics when a diagnosis is established;
monitoring the effectiveness of treatment;
exclusion of epiduritis, discitis, recurrent hernias after surgery;
suspicion of developmental anomalies of the spinal column;
the presence of symptoms of unknown origin: dizziness, loss of sensation in the legs and arms, stiffness of movement, poor posture.

Ultrasound of the spine shows in real time the condition of the musculoskeletal and ligamentous apparatus. During the procedure, the doctor may ask the patient to turn around, bend his back, stand up, or lean to the side. All this makes it possible to examine all structures in detail.

Before performing the study, patients should prepare for an ultrasound of the lumbar spine. It is necessary to eliminate acoustic obstacles in the form of intestinal gases and feces. On the screen, objects appear as zones of excessive darkening and lightening of areas. Preparation for the study includes the following points:

Follow a slag-free diet for 2-3 days. All gas-forming products are excluded: flour, legumes, milk, apples, potatoes, carbonated drinks, sweets.
The patient must fast for 8 hours before the diagnostic procedure.
Shortly before the ultrasound, a cleansing enema is administered.
For 3 days after meals, Festal should be taken three times a day, activated carbon or Espumisan to reduce gas formation.
Prescription of laxatives in order to prevent overly active intestinal motility is excluded.

The sensor is initially placed along the midline of the body (sagittal plane) below the umbilicus. For maximum visualization, pressure is applied to the abdominal area to bring the ultrasound waves closer to the vertebral bodies. The latter are defined as bright objects, between which darker intervertebral discs are located. In this position, it is possible to assess the width of the joint space.

Behind the vertebrae, the boundaries of the spinal canal, the ligamentum flavum, and the arches of the bony structures are visible. The vertebral bodies are counted from a stable, constant reference point. It is the sacral spine. To examine anatomical formations, other planes are used: horizontal, caudal (downward inclined). In this case, the sensor may move sideways.

Normally, the disc has a core that has a homogeneous hypoechoic (darker) structure. In the presence of pathological changes, an increase in echogenicity and the presence of inclusions in it may be noted. This may indicate partial ossification and decreased elasticity.

An ultrasound scan of the lumbosacral and lumbar regions includes recording parameters such as:

the height of the intervertebral spaces (the distance between the most protruding bone structures of the vertebrae);
the size of the fibrous ring around the disc;
the size of the dural sac (dura mater, inside which the spinal cord is located);
diameter of vertebral canals;
thickness of the dura mater of the ligamentum flavum.

It is possible to perform an ultrasound of the spine from the posterior approach with the patient lying on his stomach or sitting with his back to the doctor.

Despite doctors’ distrust of spinal ultrasound, modern equipment and highly qualified specialists make it possible to quickly identify pathological foci. For children, ultrasound is the method of choice due to its high safety. It can be repeated several times to clarify the diagnosis and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

It is important to remember that the reading of the results should be done by the attending physician. The conclusion in the ultrasound report is not a diagnosis. It contains a description of the anatomical formations visible when exposed to ultrasound. Despite the value of the method, the condition of the spine can be clarified using radiography or MRI.

From year to year, the number of patients who suffer from all sorts of problems with their own spine increases. Often the roots of this problem go back to orthopedic pathologies that arose in childhood. However, older people are more likely to be at risk for spinal problems. Spinal diseases contribute to a dramatic decrease in the quality of life, ability to work and well-being; moreover, they can lead to multiple complications and concomitant diseases.

To warn everyone possible problems with the health of the spine, it is necessary to contact specialists at the first symptoms of the disease and identify them at the very initial stage. Among the non-invasive diagnostic techniques in modern medicine, ultrasound examination lumbar spine, which best demonstrates to specialists all the anomalies in the functioning of this area of the human body. The technique is very accessible due to the large number of institutions where there is equipment for carrying out this diagnosis, it is absolutely safe for patients and painless.

Indications and benefits of diagnostics

It should be noted that ultrasound examination of the lumbar spine has many advantages over other diagnostic techniques that medicine offers to use in this area. The ultrasonic wave used in ultrasound is completely harmless to the patient, in contrast to the radiation that is applied to the human body when using radiography or computed tomography. Lumbar ultrasound can be performed on children of any age, as well as pregnant women. The number of diagnostic procedures may be limited only by the medical need to clarify some research indicators.

Another important advantage of ultrasound examination of the lumbar region is the fact that, unlike magnetic resonance imaging, where the quality of the tomogram results directly depends on the patient’s immobility during the procedure, when performing ultrasound of the lumbar region, the patient can take any position and move if required. his condition. Remaining motionless in one position with lower back pain is not something everyone can do. In addition, magnetic resonance and computed tomography are very expensive diagnostic methods that are not used in every district clinic, which can also become an obstacle for patients when it is necessary to diagnose an emerging disease.

Lumbar ultrasound is often prescribed by doctors for the following indications:

a lumbago that occurs in the lower back, pain in this area, aching pain;
pain in the area hip joint or in the gluteal muscle, in which there is a feeling of chilliness, stiffness or burning in the area being examined;
spondyloarthrosis or osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine, when it is necessary to accurately assess the degree of pathology that will have to be dealt with during treatment;
protrusion, as well as herniated intervertebral discs;
diagnosable signs of vertebral displacement;
signs of emerging narrowing of the spinal canal;
age-related problems in cartilage or bone tissue;
the presence of scoliosis, lordosis and pathological kyphosis;
rheumatoid synovitis;
neoplasms of various etiologies.

Ultrasound becomes very necessary after surgical interventions in the area under study to monitor the quality of the therapy performed, monitor changes in the patient’s health status, as well as after undergoing manual therapy or traction sessions.

Preparation and carrying out the procedure

To conduct an ultrasound examination of the lumbar spine, the patient must completely cleanse the intestines. 3 days before the intended procedure, it is necessary to exclude foods with increased gas formation such as carbonated drinks, raw vegetables and fruits, rye bread, legumes and others. For persistent complaints of bloating, experts recommend that patients take sorbents for several days before the test. If the patient cannot cleanse the body on his own, then 12 hours before the start of the diagnosis he is given cleansing enemas, after which he should not take any food before the start of the study.

As noted above, there are no medical contraindications for ultrasound examination in the study area. The patient can sit or lie on his back during the procedure. During diagnosis, the specialist examines the spinal canal, intervertebral discs and the area of the patient’s spinal nerves.

Ultrasound of the lumbar region can be performed through an anterior approach, when the ultrasound probe is placed on the patient's abdomen, or through a posterior approach, when an ultrasound probe in the lumbar region is applied to the back and information is obtained through the interstitial spaces.

Ultrasound of the lumbar spine is a modern, highly informative method for examining patients with clear visualization of various pathological conditions, such as the consequences of postpartum injuries in newborns, age-related diseases in the elderly, and others. Without ultrasound, it is difficult to accurately diagnose the problem of a hernia; it is impossible to determine the presence and localization of foci of inflammation, as well as the degree of abnormal processes in the intervertebral discs or in the cerebrospinal fluid of the patient’s body, since when using this technique, all of the above problems are clearly visualized on the monitor of a computer connected to an ultrasound machine . Specialists can prescribe repeated ultrasound examinations to monitor the effect of the therapy prescribed to the patient and adjust it. Ultrasound results help specialists accurately understand the picture of the disease, which contributes to a speedy diagnosis and choice effective way eliminating pathology.

Ultrasound is still an effective and cost-effective way to find out about the condition of internal organs. Previously, the examination was carried out only for organs and soft structures, but now pathologies of the musculoskeletal system can also be detected. What does an ultrasound of the spine show?

For example, the condition of ligaments, nerve endings, intervertebral discs. Most often, a back examination is prescribed along with tomography and MRI. Therefore, below we will find out who can have an ultrasound, what it will show, how to prepare and what the technique is.

In what cases is an ultrasound of the spine performed?

Any pathology in the sacral lumbar region and the spinal column has serious consequences for the entire body. If left untreated, problems with internal organs, blood vessels, blood circulation and brain function may develop.

The spine is responsible for posture, maintaining the correct state of the body, cartilage tissue is responsible for shock absorption, and the spinal cord ensures the functioning of nerve endings, the supply of cerebrospinal fluid and the functioning of internal organs.

Pain in the back and entire spine.
Difficulty performing simple movements.
Shortness of breath, heaviness when inhaling.
Migraines, constant headache.
Dizziness.
Scoliosis and poor posture.
Problems with blood pressure.
Problems with vision and hearing.
Numbness of the limbs and loss of sensation.
Memory problems.
Disruption of internal organs.

If the patient experiences at least two of the above symptoms, constant, shooting pain in the back, then an urgent need to consult a doctor for diagnosis.

Benefits of the survey

Not everyone knows what benefits an ultrasound examination provides and accuracy of the data obtained:

Affordable research price.
Safety.
Possibility of frequent use.
Accuracy and information content of the data.
Environmental friendliness of the survey.
Possibility to see pathologies in intervertebral discs.
Possibility of examination during pregnancy.
Possibility of diagnostics for young children.

If we compare ultrasound with other examination methods, such as tomography, CT or X-ray, then ultrasound is absolutely safe, ultrasound waves do not contain harmful radiation, and the pictures are obtained high resolution, it is possible to conduct a layer-by-layer examination of any soft structure.

But one of the main advantages is the ability to perform ultrasound frequently, which helps to monitor pathologies.

Main types of ultrasound

Many people are interested in whether ultrasound is performed for osteochondrosis and what type of procedure is performed. In the presence of osteochondrosis, ultrasound is prescribed as part of a set of tests, and two-dimensional ultrasound examination is most often used. There are also 3D and 4D ultrasound, but for this the hospital must have special equipment, and more often it is used only in private clinics.

Video on the topic:

The type of examination is selected based on the approximate location and diagnosis of the patient.

What diseases can ultrasound diagnostics show?

Let us immediately note that it is impossible to find out about bone pathologies using ultrasound; this requires more accurate examination methods.

But ultrasound helps to identify such diseases and problems.:

State	Localization
Degenerative and inflammatory processes in ligaments and soft tissues.	In all parts of the spine
Spinal disc rupture.	In the lumbar region
Scoliosis, osteochondrosis and osteoarthrosis.	In the lower back and cervical region
Injuries and damage to joints and muscle tissue.	In all parts of the spinal column
Herniated intervertebral discs.	In the spinal column
Congenital malformations of the spinal column.	All parts of the spine

Preparation for the procedure

If we are talking about performing an ultrasound in the thoracic and cervical region, then no special preparation is needed.

If the lumbar spine is examined, then a day before the procedure it is necessary to cleanse the intestines of feces and gases.

This is done due to the fact that that the procedure is performed in the supine position.

Experts advise avoiding foods that cause gas. You can also take anti-flatulence tablets.

Diagnostics in the lumbar region

When performing an ultrasound in the lumbar region, it is imperative to cleanse the intestines. To do this, three days before the procedure it is better to give up dairy, legumes, fresh vegetables, sparkling water. It is recommended to take Espumisan, activated carbon.

Examine the lower back using ultrasound better in the morning, on an empty stomach, after a five-hour fast. In the doctor’s office, the patient lies on his back, after which the abdominal area is smeared with a special gel, then diagnostics are carried out using pressing movements using a special sensor.

Ultrasound in this case helps to identify such diseases:

Hernias.
Deformation of bone and cartilage tissue.
Violation of the integrity of the nerve roots.
Tumors.
Inflammation in the yellow ligaments.

Diagnosis of the cervical spine

When examining the cervical spine, the patient sits or lies on his back. The doctor uses a probe to examine the structures of the spine from the front and side of the neck. As a result, pathologies such as degenerative changes can be detected in soft tissues, stenosis, damage and trauma to the spinal column.

Diagnosis of the thoracic region

An examination of the thoracic region using ultrasound should be carried out in a supine position. Although ultrasound in this case is prescribed very rarely, since it is difficult to obtain information due to the surrounding structures in the sternum. Instead of an ultrasound examination in the thoracic region, an x-ray or tomography is often prescribed.

Features of the study

The procedure lasts no more than 15-30 minutes, at the same time the patient can speak and move freely. A special gel improves the image and helps visualize the soft structures of the spine.

The main features of the study are its accessibility, low price and the availability of the necessary equipment in almost every public hospital.

Where can I have the procedure done?

Not every specialist can carry out the procedure, so it is better to contact specialized clinics, frequent diagnostic centers. Although equipment for two-dimensional examination is available in almost every city clinic.

Prices

Average price for a procedure in a private clinic – 1500-2000 rubles, although the cost is different everywhere. Regarding city hospitals, in certain cases the study may be free.

If ultrasound examination of internal organs is common, then the same cannot be said about ultrasound of vertebral structures. The procedure is not performed very often and not in all clinical settings. A non-invasive instant diagnostic technique called ultrasound, abbreviated as ultrasound, is the principle of echolocation in action. In short, the principle works like this: an ultrasonic wave from the device emanates to the object. Reaching it, it is naturally reflected, like any wave from any obstacle. Reflected, it is received by the receiver, which converts the information contained in the reflection into a clear picture that is visually displayed on the computer screen. The test is quite accurate and helps identify many spinal problems without X-rays or invasive interventions.

Spinal diseases are complex and require long-term therapy, and sometimes serious surgical intervention. Considering this fact, the key to successful treatment is timely diagnosis of ailments localized in the vertebral areas. Since the spinal column is hidden under the skin, tendons, muscle tissue, and has a complex multi-layered and multi-stage structure, it is very difficult to “get” to it. And here the most modern and effective, and also not too expensive, method is ultrasound.

By the way. An ultrasound will allow you to see the exact picture of the disease as much as possible at the moment and at its given stage. This, in turn, will make it possible to begin timely treatment.

There are many diagnostic methods used for diseases of the vertebral structures. Ultrasound is prescribed in cases where the following symptoms and conditions are present:

Table. Advantages of ultrasound.

Advantage	Description
Harmlessness	When performing the procedure, the doctor does not expose the patient ionizing radiation, which certainly happens with any x-ray method, as well as with CT and MRI.
Recurrence	It follows from harmlessness, it is for this reason that the procedure can be repeated as many times as necessary, in any time interval.
Ease of implementation	No special training is required and there are no contraindications.
Non-invasive	This is very important, since the patient often already experiences back pain in order to be subjected to it further during the diagnosis. The procedure is comfortable for the patient and painless.
Availability	This is a relatively inexpensive study that almost everyone can afford.

Ultrasound and diseases of the spine

Ultrasound diagnostic techniques can be different types. Overall rating(determination of the affected area) is performed on a two-dimensional study. To clarify the details of the affected object, three-dimensional and four-dimensional techniques can be used. Depending on the symptoms and preliminary diagnosis, an ultrasound is performed of the spinal area in which pain is present.

Spinal pathologies diagnosed using ultrasound.

How does ultrasound differ from other hardware diagnostics?

This research method takes the place of the “golden mean” between long-used and new methods.

X-ray

First of all, it is worth mentioning its main difference from fluoroscopy. Science does not stand still, including medical science; old technologies become obsolete and are replaced by new ones. The problem is that x-rays, as a diagnostic method, have long been hopelessly outdated. It is used by inertia, “the old fashioned way” and does not show the same results as ultrasound, despite the fact that the harm from x-rays (albeit indirectly) may be greater.

By the way. When passing x-ray examination the patient is placed between a photographic film on which an image is projected and a radiation source that conducts waves through the human body.

As a result of an X-ray, a black and white picture is formed, which allows you to see fairly fine detail, but the radiation exposure goes directly into the human body. And its dose varies depending on the area of the body that needs to be diagnosed. The spine usually occupies a large area, since one zone is rarely examined; usually at least two are exposed to irradiation (for example, the cervicothoracic or lumbosacral). Therefore, X-rays should not be taken for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, as well as for patients with renal failure. The method using ultrasound does not have such contraindications and limitations.

CT and MRI

If we compare ultrasound with other advanced technologies - CT and MRI, there are also differences. Although these are new methods in terms of the research method (technologically), they are not as informative as ultrasound. Computer research techniques are based on magnetic resonance, and with their help it is possible to assess the condition of paravertebral tissues, discs - mainly the bone structure. An ultrasound image can present the condition of the internal organs much more clearly.

By the way. Ultrasound will not allow you to examine the dense bone structure in detail, but it will allow you to analyze the condition of soft tissues in the best possible way. Based on the results of the procedure, the doctor will receive information about the ligaments, connective and cartilaginous structures, joints, disc segments and pathologies “hidden” there.

An ultrasound examination will make it possible to identify osteochondrosis changes, hernial formations, degrees of scoliotic curvatures and even congenital malformations of vertebral structures.

If you want to find out in more detail what is best, and also find out in what cases a spinal examination is required, you can read an article about this on our portal.

Studies of various vertebral zones and their results

The first in order, if you start from the top of the body, is the sector of the spine called the cervical. It is the most mobile and vulnerable, as it is a brain conductor. Then follows the chest zone - the most extensive and static. The next zone, the lumbar region, is also characterized by mobility and a high probability of damage. Next is the sacral zone, which is practically motionless and minimally traumatic.

Ultrasound of the cervical spine

The resulting picture demonstrates the trajectory of the reflection of the beam from the surface of the cervical vertebrae.

The procedure is performed while the patient is sitting or lying down.
A special gel is applied to the back of the neck.
The sensor examines the posterolateral and anterolateral cervical surface.
The posture changes during the procedure to improve the quality of the results. First the head bends, then throws back.

The method helps to identify with high accuracy the presence of the following pathologies:

abnormal neck structure;
structural deformations;
all types of intervertebral hernias;
all types of stenotic narrowings;
the presence of extensions or flexions (various abnormal inclinations of the vertebral segments);
ruptures and other defects of the spinal membrane;
injuries received during childbirth.

For newborns (as well as for pregnant women, ultrasound is generally the only safe method for identifying anomalies in the early stages of their spread).

Ultrasound of the chest area

In the thoracic area, only one ultrasound method is most often not used for diagnosis, since it is quite thoroughly covered with bone structures behind and in front. Therefore, in combination with ultrasound, MRI or fluoroscopy is prescribed here.

However, when diagnosing thoracic S-shaped scoliosis or kyphosis, ultrasound helps differentiate the diagnosis from other pathologies, including cardiac, pulmonary, gastric and esophageal.

Ultrasound of the lumbar area

The patient's position during this procedure is lying on his back. The doctor moves the sensor along the abdominal wall. This feature of the procedure is also associated with the closure of the lumbar area behind by impenetrable bone plates. For this type of ultrasound, you must undergo special training, including cleaning the intestinal contents, since the study involves the upper intestinal sections.

Carrying out the procedure allows you to become the owner of the following information:

disk status;
their wear and tear;
presence of protrusions;
existing hernias;
condition of the yellow ligament and its swelling;
abnormal development of vertebral structures that form the column;
quality and quantity of cerebrospinal fluid.

Ultrasound of the sacrum

In this area, bone density is also quite high, but recently ultrasound of the sacrum is increasingly used as a diagnostic method, since there is still access from the front. The reflection of UV rays from the lower abdominal zone gives an idea of what is happening in it, with pain in the sacrum, lumbar lumbago, hip or buttock pain syndrome.

The study can identify the following problems:

unstable position of the sacral vertebrae (while they should be stable);
displacement relative to the vertebral axis of its segments;
segment compression;
injuries to the lumbar-sacrum area.

By the way. are increasingly carried out to monitor the effectiveness of treatment of diseases in a given area, tracking the dynamics of changes after taking prescribed medications or carrying out medical procedures.

Is preparation necessary?

As already noted, the procedure generally does not require special preparation. When examining the lumbar sector and sacral area, it is necessary to prepare the intestines by cleansing them. To do this, take the following steps in two to three days.

Stop eating dairy, all raw fruits and vegetables, as well as rye bread.
Espumisan is taken four times a day, two or three tablets.
The last meal is at least eight hours before the procedure.