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CT Cervical Spine

 

Basics: What is a CT of the Cervical Spine?

A computed tomography or CT scan of the cervical spine (neck) uses X-rays to produce many detailed pictures of the individual's cervical spine. The CT machine is a donut shape X-ray (as opposed to the tube shape of the MRI machine), which rotates more than two times every second and provides an image as a thin slice of the body area being examined.  Some cases do require that a contrast (or dye) is consumed either orally, through an IV, or put into the spinal canal (intrathecally); the contrast material makes organs and other structures easier to see.

Why is a CT of the Cervical Spine done?

• Find herniated discs in the spine.
• Check to see if osteoporosis has caused compression fractures.
• Check on congenital defects/problems.
• Find other spinal problems such as tumors, deformities, infection, fractures or narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis).
• Check to see how well a spinal therapy/surgery is working.

Frequently Asked Questions for CT Cervical Spine

 

Discussion of images above:

To come.

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