Spine X-Rays

The spine is divided into 5 sections: CERVICAL (neck), THORACIC (upper back), LUMBAR (lower back), SACRAL (buttocks level), and COCCYX (tailbone). X-rays are commonly taken of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar areas, because these areas are commonly injured areas.

X-rays of the spine may be performed to evaluate persistent back pain or injury. Lumbar back x-rays more often fail to reveal the cause of back pain unrelated to trauma. Most back pain originates from muscles, ligaments, discs, or nerves, which can't be seen with ordinary (unenhanced) x-rays. Fractures of the spine can be serious, particularly when the potential for damage to the spinal cord is considered.

When evaluating the motor vehicle accident victim with neck pain, it is important to x-ray the cervical spine area. Spine x-rays are indispensable in diagnosing a number of conditions:

1. DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS

2. COMPRESSION FRACTURE OF A VERTEBRA

3. MALALIGNMENT OF THE VERTEBRA

4. OSTEOPOROSIS

5. BONE CANCER

6. CERVICAL FRACTURE

7. OSTEOMYELITIS OF THE SPINE

8. DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE

***** REMEMBER *****

1. Spine films of the lumbar region require a higher level of radiation, compared to other diagnostic studies.

2. Radiation, in high doses, is thought to contribute to the development of some cancers, and birth defects in early pregnancy. Radiation doses used in diagnostic medicine are far below this dangerous level.

3. Cervical films have a relatively low level of radiation whereas thoracic films have a medium level of radiation.

4. Initial films may be done with the patient "immobilized" until the possibility of a spine fracture is safely excluded. After the x-ray has been seen by the physician, and read as normal, the patient can be moved without damaging the spinal cord.

MEDICAL TESTS

Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal X-Ray
Allergy Testing
Amniocentesis
Amylase Blood Test
Angiodynography
Angiogram
Arterial Blood Gases
Arthrocentesis
Arthrogram
Barium Enema
Blood Chemistry
Blood Coagulation Test
Blood Cultures
Blood Glucose Test
Blood Test Smac 25
Bone Marrow Biopsy Aspiration
Cardiac Catheterization Angioplasty
Cardiac Enzymes
Cholesterol Blood Test
Complete Blood Count
CT Scanning Back
CT Scanning Chest Abdomen
Drug Levels
Glucose Tolerance Test
Hepatitis Blood Test
HIV Blood Test
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Blood Test
Lipoproteins
Liver Biopsy
Liver Blood Test
Lymph Node Biopsy
Mononucleosis Test
Paracentesis
Peritoneal Lavage
Pregnancy Blood Test
Prostate Specific Antigen
Skin Biopsy
Spine X-Rays
Thyroid Biopsy
Thyroid Blood Test
Toxicology