Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Spine

What’s a CT scan of the backbone?

Computed tomography is an imaging check that makes use of X-rays and a pc to make detailed photographs of the physique. A CT scan reveals particulars of the bones, muscle tissues, fats, and organs. CT scans are extra detailed than commonplace X-rays.

In commonplace X-rays, a beam of power is aimed on the physique half being studied. A plate behind the physique half captures the variations of the power beam after it passes by means of pores and skin, bone, muscle, and different tissue. Healthcare suppliers can get a lot data from a normal X-ray. However it would not give a number of element about inside organs and different buildings.

In a CT scan, an X-ray beam strikes in a circle across the physique. This permits many alternative views of the identical organ or construction. The X-ray data is shipped to a pc that interprets the X-ray knowledge. It shows it in a 2-D type on a monitor.

CT scans could also be accomplished with or with out distinction. Distinction refers to a substance taken by mouth or injected into an IV (intravenous) line. The IV is inserted into the hand or arm. Distinction causes the actual organ or tissue beneath examine to indicate up extra clearly on the scan.

CT scans of the backbone can present extra detailed details about the bones of the backbone (vertebrae), the disks between the vertebrae, and different spinal buildings and tissues than commonplace X-rays of the backbone. CT scans can provide healthcare suppliers extra data associated to accidents or ailments of the backbone.

Why would possibly I want a CT scan of the backbone?

A CT scan of the backbone could also be used to examine the backbone for:

A CT scan could also be accomplished when one other sort of examination, comparable to an X-ray, MRI, or bodily examination, would not give sufficient data.

A CT of the backbone might also be used to evaluate the consequences of remedy of the backbone. This consists of surgical procedure or different remedy.

There could also be different causes to your healthcare supplier to suggest a CT scan of the backbone.

What are the dangers of a CT scan of the backbone?

Chances are you’ll need to ask your healthcare supplier in regards to the quantity of radiation used throughout the CT scan and the dangers associated to your explicit scenario. Radiation from CT scans varies, relying on the area of the physique being examined. However it could be as much as 100 to 800 occasions better than a standard chest X-ray. It is a good suggestion to maintain a document of your radiation publicity. This consists of earlier CT scans and different forms of X-rays, as a way to inform your supplier. Dangers linked to radiation publicity could also be associated to the variety of X-ray exams or therapies over a protracted interval.

Inform your healthcare supplier when you’re pregnant or suppose you might be. Radiation publicity throughout being pregnant might result in start defects. If you should have a CT of the backbone, particular precautions will probably be taken to cut back the radiation publicity to the fetus.

If you happen to’re breastfeeding, ask your healthcare supplier if you should delay breastfeeding after getting distinction.

If distinction dye is used, there’s a danger for allergic response to the dye. Inform your healthcare supplier nicely earlier than the examination when you’re allergic to or delicate to medicines, distinction, or iodine. They could prescribe medicines to cut back the danger for allergic reactions. Most individuals will not have any issues from distinction dye, however make sure you inform your supplier when you’ve ever had a response to any distinction dye. Having a seafood allergy will not cease you from getting distinction.

Inform your healthcare supplier when you have any kidney issues. In some circumstances, the distinction dye could cause kidney failure. Folks with kidney illness usually tend to have kidney injury after distinction publicity.

Inform your healthcare supplier if you’re taking the diabetes medication metformin. Chances are you’ll be informed to cease taking this medication earlier than the scan.

There could also be different dangers relying in your particular well being situation. Discuss any considerations along with your healthcare supplier earlier than the check.

How do I prepare for a CT scan of the backbone?

The CT technologist will clarify the check and you’ll ask questions.

In case your CT scan includes using distinction dye, you may be requested to signal a consent type that provides permission to do the scan. Learn the shape fastidiously and ask questions if something is unclear.

Inform the technologist when you’ve ever had a response to any distinction dye or when you’re allergic to iodine.

You do not often must quick earlier than a CT scan, except a distinction dye is for use. Your healthcare supplier gives you particular directions forward of time if distinction is for use and you should quick.

Inform your supplier about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, nutritional vitamins, herbs, and dietary supplements you are taking.

Inform your supplier about any latest sicknesses or different well being situations you could have, comparable to coronary heart illness, kidney illness, bronchial asthma, diabetes, or thyroid issues. These can enhance the danger for issues.

Inform the technologist when you’re pregnant or suppose you might be.

Inform the technologist when you have any physique piercings in your chest or abdomen.

If you happen to’re claustrophobic, discuss along with your healthcare supplier about taking medication for leisure earlier than the check.

Your supplier might produce other directions on methods to prepare.

What occurs throughout a CT scan of the backbone?

CT scans will be accomplished on an outpatient foundation or as a part of your hospital keep. Steps might range relying in your situation and your healthcare supplier’s practices.

Usually, a CT scan of the backbone follows this course of:

You may be requested to take away any clothes, jewellery, or different objects that will intervene with the check, comparable to eyeglasses, hairpins, dentures, and presumably listening to aids.

If you happen to’re requested to take away clothes, you may be given a robe to put on.

If you happen to’re to have a scan accomplished with distinction, a healthcare skilled will begin an IV (intravenous) line in your hand or arm for injection of the distinction dye.

You may lie on a slim desk that slides into a big, round opening of the ring-shaped scanning machine. Pillows and straps could also be used to assist preserve you continue to throughout the scan.

The technologist will probably be in one other room the place the scanner controls are situated. However you may be in fixed sight of the technologist by means of a window. Audio system contained in the scanner will enable the technologist to speak with you and listen to you. You may have a name button as a way to let the technologist know when you have any issues throughout the scan. The technologist will probably be watching you always and will probably be in fixed communication.

The scanner will begin to rotate round you and X-rays will cross by means of your physique for brief quantities of time. You may hear clicking and whirring sounds, that are regular.

The X-rays absorbed by the physique’s tissues will probably be detected by the scanner and despatched to the pc. The pc will remodel the data into a picture to be interpreted by the radiologist.

It will likely be vital so that you can keep very nonetheless throughout the scan. Chances are you’ll be requested to carry your breath for a short while at varied occasions throughout the scan.

If distinction dye is used, you may be faraway from the scanner after the primary set of scans has been accomplished. A second set of scans will probably be taken after the distinction dye has been given.

If distinction dye is used, you might really feel some results when the dye is injected into the IV line. These results embody a heat flushing sensation, a salty or metallic style within the mouth, a short headache, or nausea. These results often solely final for a number of moments. Inform the technologist when you really feel ache or tingling on the IV website after injection.

Inform the technologist when you really feel any respiratory difficulties, sweating, numbness, or coronary heart palpitations.

When the check has been accomplished, you may be faraway from the scanner.

If an IV line was inserted, it will likely be eliminated.

Chances are you’ll be requested to attend for a short while whereas the radiologist examines the scans to ensure they’re clear.

Whereas the CT check itself causes no ache, having to lie nonetheless for the size of the check is perhaps uncomfortable, significantly when you’ve not too long ago been injured or had surgical procedure. The technologist will use all doable consolation measures and full the check as rapidly as doable to cut back any discomfort or ache.

What occurs after a CT scan of the backbone?

If distinction dye was used, you might be watched for a interval for any uncomfortable side effects or reactions to the distinction dye. These embody itching, swelling, rash, or hassle respiratory. Inform the radiologist or your healthcare supplier instantly when you discover any of those signs.

If you happen to discover any ache, redness, or swelling on the IV website after you go house, inform your healthcare supplier. Any of those might be an indication of an infection or different sort of response.

In any other case, there is no such thing as a particular sort of care wanted after a CT scan of the backbone. Chances are you’ll return to your regular weight loss plan and actions except your supplier tells you in another way.

Your healthcare supplier might offer you different directions after the check, relying in your scenario.

Subsequent steps

Earlier than you comply with the check or process ensure you know:

The identify of the check or process

The explanation you might be having the check or process

What outcomes to count on and what they imply

The dangers and advantages of the check or process

What the doable uncomfortable side effects or problems are

When and the place you might be to have the check or process

Who will do the check or process and what that particular person’s {qualifications} are

What would occur when you didn’t have the check or process

Any various checks or procedures to consider

When and the way you’ll get the outcomes

Who to name after the check or process when you have questions or issues

How a lot you’ll have to pay for the check or process