Alternate Names: Spinal CT; CT of lumbosacral spine

How Performed: You lie on a gantry (movable table) and are positioned inside the CT scanner. An intercom system is built into the scanner to allow for communication between the technician and you. You are required to remain still throughout the scan. The machine will emit X-rays, which produce a series of images like slices and can detect the differences in tissues, bones, and other formations.

Sometimes a water-soluble contrast agent (a material to increase the differences between tissues) may be injected. This material is radiopaque (reflects X-rays) and therefore may improve the ability to view certain tissues.

The scan will last between 1 and 2 hours.

How To Prepare: You must sign a consent form.
Remove all jewelry, dentures, or other metals that interfere with the scan. You will wear a hospital gown during the test.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child’s age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child’s age:

• infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How It Feels: If a contrast agent is injected, you will feel a sharp prick when the needle is inserted. The puncture site may be tender for several minutes afterward. During the test, there may be mild discomfort for patients already experiencing pain, for claustrophobic patients, or for others who have a hard time remaining still. The technician may be able to provide a pillow or administer a mild sedative to those experiencing discomfort.

Risks: If contrast media is used, there is a slight risk of allergic reaction.

There may be some concern about exposure to the radiation in X-rays. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should consult their health care provider about the risk to the fetus or infant.

Why Performed: A CT scan is a good way of getting a picture of the spine without surgery. This is considered the best way of diagnosing the cause of low back pain.

Normal Values: All tissues and vertebrae should appear in the normal areas.

Abnormal Results: Conditions that may be revealed include:

• cyst
• tumor
• "pinched nerve"
• disc herniation
• vertebral fracture
• osteoarthritis
• neoplastic (new abnormal tissue formation) disease
• infection
• metabolic disease

• osteomalacia

Cost:

Special Considerations: This test is about 95% accurate.