CT scan of the upper thigh

CT – Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic method that uses X-rays to create detailed, three-dimensional images of internal organs and structures. During the scanning process, the patient is placed on a table that moves slowly through a cylindrical machine, through which X-rays pass from multiple angles. A special program then combines the resulting images to create a three-dimensional image of the inside of the body. CT is used to diagnose a variety of health problems, including detecting tumors, traumatic injuries, blood clots, and other conditions. It is important to note that CT uses X-rays, which can represent a certain dose of radiation, so its use must be carefully considered in relation to the benefits and risks.

A CT scan of the lower extremities is an examination that takes very thin images (2-5 mm) of a specific part of your leg, from the hip joint to the tips of the toes. They are much more detailed than regular X-rays and allow for recording of different angles, as well as 3D reformatting. This allows for more accurate diagnosis of things like fractures, sprains, and other injuries or conditions.

Upper thigh CT scan at Atrijum Sarajevo Polyclinic

In the Atrium Polyclinic, CT of the thigh is performed on a modern CT scanner Toshiba Aquilion Prime 160 slice. CT of the thigh on the Toshiba Aquilion 160 slice device has several advantages compared to other CT devices:

• High resolution: Toshiba Aquilion 160 slice has high image resolution.
• Scanning speed: Thanks to the large number of detectors (in this case 160 slices), scanning is faster than on devices with fewer “slices”. This reduces the risk of motion artifacts, improves image quality, and reduces patient radiation exposure.
• Low radiation dose: Advanced image processing techniques, such as iterative reconstruction and the use of low-dose protocols, reduce the radiation dose needed to obtain high-quality images.
• Accurate diagnostics: High resolution and scanning speed enable precise diagnostics.
• Patient comfort: Faster scanning reduces the time spent in the scanner, improving patient comfort and reducing anxiety.

Thigh and CT examination of the thigh

The thigh is the part of the leg that connects the hip and the knee. The basis of the thigh is the femur, which is the largest bone in the human body. The muscles of the thigh can be divided into three groups: anterior, medial, and posterior groups. On the front side of the thigh is the quadriceps, a four-headed muscle responsible for knee extension and one of the most important stabilizers of the knee and “shock absorber” of the force generated upon landing on the ground. Next to the quadriceps on the front side of the thigh is the sartorius, the longest muscle in the human body.

On the medial side of the thigh is a group of muscles called adductors, and their common function is adduction of the thigh, while the posterior group, also known as the posterior compartment, consists of three muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus). The muscles of the posterior compartment are responsible for hip extension and knee flexion movements. A nerve runs along the back of the thigh, and the main blood vessels, femoral artery and vein, run along the inner side.

CT of the lower extremities, in this case CT examination of the thigh, uses a series of X-rays to diagnose all changes, injuries, or other conditions in the upper part of the legs. This examination can also be used to detect certain bone pathologies in this region. In that case, contrast medium is injected intravenously to highlight the area being examined.

You can help ensure a successful, comfortable procedure by carefully following the instructions of your doctor, radiologist, and radiological technician. Be sure to answer all questions they may ask about your general health condition.

There is a risk of radiation, as with any CT scan, but it is much smaller compared to the benefits you get from such examinations.