Thoracic spine CT scan

You will lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. Once you are inside the scanner, the machine's x-ray beam rotates around you. Modern "spiral" scanners can perform the exam without stopping as your body moves through the scanner in small increments. A computer creates separate images of…

Certain exams require a special dye, called contrast. Contrast is delivered into the body before the test starts. This helps certain areas show up better on the x-rays. Contrast can be given in several ways. It may be given as an injection through: A vein (IV) in your hand or forearm Your back into the space…

Some people may find it uncomfortable to lie on the hard table. Contrast given through an IV may cause: Slight burning feeling Metallic taste in the mouth Warm flushing of the body These feelings are normal and will often go away within a few seconds.

CT rapidly creates detailed pictures of the thoracic spine. The test may help diagnose or detect: Birth defects of the spine in children Bone fracture in the spine Arthritis of the spine Curvature of the spine called scoliosis Tumor of the spine Other spinal injury Thoracic CT scan can also be used during or after:…

Results are normal if the thoracic spine looks normal.

Abnormal results may be due to: Birth defects of the spine Bone problems Fracture Herniated (slipped) disk Infection of the spine Narrowing of the spine ( spinal stenosis ) Scoliosis Tumor

Risks of CT scans include: Exposure to radiation Allergic reaction to contrast dye CT scans expose you to more radiation than regular x-rays. Having many x-rays or CT scans over time may increase your risk for cancer. However, the risk from any one scan is small. You and your provider should weigh this risk against…

The thoracic CT scan is good for evaluating large herniated disks. It can miss the smaller ones. This test with a myelogram will show a better image of the nerve roots and find smaller injuries or abnormalities.

Rankine JJ. Spinal trauma. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 52. US Food and Drug Administration website. Computed tomography (CT).…