What is the headache?
Permanent mixed headache is a very common symptom. We often refer to it with or without, and sometimes shamelessly use as an excuse ("Sorry, dear, not today! .."). We are penalized for our own meteosensitivity, stress or increased intracranial pressure ... "Prescribing" to themselves widely advertised tablets, jokingly justified: "The best remedy for a headache is the guillotine." In fact, such an alarming "bell" may indicate the presence of a human disease - from migraine to voluminous neoplasms in the brain. The main thing is to make a diagnosis on time. And the earlier, the better, because the brain and pituitary gland are very vulnerable organs. Obligatory indications for examination are persistent, incessant or often recurring headaches - for example, daily or not letting out during the day - and, of course, cases of loss of consciousness. So, you decided to go to the doctor. Thank God, if this is a professional with great experience, and he understood exactly what your problem is and how to solve it. But if there is a need to conduct an additional examination (and as you understand, its result will incommensurably increase the reliability of the diagnosis), you inevitably face a choice: which one?
To date, there are three fundamentally different methods of visualization (that is, the ability to get a clear picture to the physicians) of tissues and internal organs. With ultrasound (ultrasound), the patient does not need to remain immobile, and it is relatively inexpensive. However, in this case, the human factor is very important, because the positioning of the sensor, the position of which is constantly changing during scanning, depends entirely on the professionalism of the doctor. Giving high image quality when examining the bone system and lungs, computed tomography (CT), unfortunately, does not provide a clear visualization of the structure of the brain. Diagnosis is made difficult by the low contrast of soft tissues in the "picture". And the main disadvantage of CT is the radiation load on the patient. The youngest and, perhaps, the most advanced method of examination today is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Let's take a look at the Holy of Holies
Magnetic resonance imaging is a high-tech, and most importantly, in many cases the most informative diagnostic method. Among its main advantages are the absence of ionizing radiation and the radiation dose burden on the patient, which means the possibility of examining children and even (according to medical indications) future mothers after the first trimester of pregnancy. Magnetic resonance tomograph performs research in automatic mode, has high spatial resolution, that is able to "look" into the most hidden corners of the body, gives a three-dimensional image (virtual "slices" can be located in any plane) and a clear "picture" of the brain. Among all methods of medical imaging, MRI provides the highest interstitial contrast. That is, the information that the tomograph will "collect" will turn out to be as complete as possible today and will give a detailed picture to the treating doctor. The drawbacks of this method can be attributed only to the need for the patient to maintain complete immobility during the procedure, increasing the study time, if desired, to achieve a greater resolution of the image and ... some noise associated with the operation of the apparatus. Absolute contraindication for MRI is the presence of metal implants inside the body (except titanium and tantalum), as well as a pacemaker. MRI is based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (we are talking about the absorption and emission of energy in the radio frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum), nothing to do with radiation without. Simply the body of the patient, placed in a strong permanent magnetic field, harmless to humans, as it becomes a radio station, independently broadcasts about what is going on inside. The task of the tomograph is the reception and decoding of these radio signals, followed by the formation of images.
Control "shot" in the head
If in the study (God forbid, of course!) A tumor is found in the cranial cavity, this does not mean at all that it is necessary to put a cross on a person's life. First, for neurosurgeons, operations on the brain are already routine. And secondly, if the diagnosis is carried out at an early stage of the disease, that is, an ill-fated, albeit benign, "bulge" of small size (up to 30 mm), you can do without surgery - in the usual sense of the word. Indeed, recently, a miracle has come to the aid of patients, like a gamma knife. This radiosurgical unit is a high-tech computerized device that uses the latest achievements in medical radiology, neurosurgery and robotics. The "culprit" of the disease is under simultaneous impact from a 201 radiation source. Through special holes in the helmet, which is put on the patient's head, the radiation rushes to the computer-specified point. In this case, each individual beam does not have a damaging effect on the brain, but converging in the isocenter, together they become simply ruthless for the tumor, since they create a high total dose. Thus, simultaneously it is possible to "operate" up to ten available problem centers.
The procedure itself is done once, there is no need for trepanation of the skull and incisions on the skin, as you already understand, there is no, and there will be no stitches and subsequent scars. Yes, there to say, the aesthetic side of the case, that is, your hair, will not suffer either, unless the styling will have to be corrected. And most importantly, the patient does not need to turn off from active life for a few weeks, a couple of days will be enough for everything about everything, taking into account the time spent on the road and the repeated MRI examination. Once again, the testimony to the use of a gamma knife is not too large a tumor size and a tremulous care for one's health. Of course, excessive suspiciousness can turn into torture our own life and the existence of others. However, it should in no case be confused with sanity: the latter should be an indispensable companion for everyone. Sometimes in time to hedge - means to get rid of serious problems in the future. In a word, do not think of anything superfluous, but do not forget that you have it!