Advantages and disadvantages of CT scan in the diagnosis of biliary tract disease

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Quang Duc - Doctor of Nuclear Medicine - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital. The doctor has more than 12 years of experience in the field of Diagnostic Imaging.

The pancreas is an organ located behind the stomach, close to the back wall of the abdomen. In an adult, the pancreas is 15cm long, 6cm high, 3cm thick and weighs about 80g. The pancreas is divided into five parts: the apex, the head of the pancreas, the neck of the pancreas, the body of the pancreas, and the tail of the pancreas.
Functionally, the pancreas is both an endocrine organ and an exocrine organ. In terms of endocrine, the pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon, two hormones that regulate blood sugar. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas's ability to produce insulin is damaged. In terms of exocrine function, the pancreas secretes important enzymes to digest food such as: trypsin, chymotrypsin to digest proteins, amylase to digest carbohydrates, lipase to digest fats.
Some common diseases in the pancreas such as acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer,... The causes of pancreatic disease are diverse, but alcoholism and gallstones are thought to be the causes. main, accounting for 80-90% of cases. Other possible causes include: use of drugs that damage the pancreas; trauma affecting the abdomen; pancreatic injury after surgical surgery; have certain infections such as measles, mumps,...
People at high risk for pancreatic diseases include:
Alcoholics; people with gallstones; Smokers;

Elderly, sedentary, overweight, obese; People working in hazardous chemical environments; People who have had surgery on the abdomen; People with a personal or family history of pancreatic diseases.

CT scan, also known as computerized tomography, is a technique that uses X-rays projected from different angles on the part of the body to be examined, then a computer system will process them to let you know. Output 2D, 3D images of that part. This is a non-invasive imaging technique that does not cause damage to organs, helping to accurately diagnose the condition of lesions and inflammation, including arterial diseases. CT scan for diagnosis of biliary pancreatic disease is indicated in the following cases:
Patients with symptoms suspected of related to biliary pancreatic disease such as: abdominal pain or back pain, abdominal distention, jaundice, yellow eyes and mucous membranes , itchy palms, feet,... Patient fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss The patient has been diagnosed with pancreatic diseases such as acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis computer, pancreatic cancer,... Computed tomography helps to assess response to treatment.

Although it is an effective means of diagnosing pancreatic and biliary tract diseases, there are some cases where abdominal computed tomography is not allowed: pregnant women (especially the first 3 months of pregnancy), women breastfeeding, people allergic to contrast, patients with severe renal failure,...

3.1. Advantages of CT scan in diagnosing biliary pancreatitis When CT scan diagnoses pancreatic biliary disease, there will be advantages compared to other imaging techniques such as:
Clear computed tomography image due to no They have superimposed images, clearer and more accurate image resolution than ultrasound or X-ray images, and help examine organs that these techniques cannot reach. Quick capture time, can be used in emergencies. Helping doctors make accurate diagnoses and conclusions about pancreatic-biliary diseases, contributing to effective treatment for patients. Can be used for patients with contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging such as those with pacemakers, hearing aids, metal heart valves, etc. The cost of computed tomography is also cheaper than with MRI. benefit from.

3.2. Disadvantages of CT scan in diagnosing pancreatic and biliary diseases CT scan is an X-ray technique. Even though the dose of X-rays has been controlled at an appropriate level, there is still a risk of radiation contamination, especially for pregnant women. pregnant women and children. The soft tissue resolution of CT is not as high as that of magnetic resonance imaging. If the imaging organ and the lesion have the same attenuation, the computed tomography scan will not detect the abnormality. The patient may be allergic to the contrast agent used in the CT scan. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is equipped with a 640-slice CT scanner TSX-301C manufactured by Toshiba that is capable of supporting diagnosis on an area up to 16 cm wide, with a fast speed allowing one rotation to capture the image. whole heart, helping to optimally diagnose coronary, vascular and systemic. In particular, this machine can reduce up to 90% of radiation dose, so it can be taken for pregnant women when indicated.