Question 1

will a ct scan of the lumbar spine post fusion without contrast show pinched nerves or just bone structure and hardware?

Accepted Answer

Limitations: No, a better view of nerve compression will be available if MRI is chosen, but the CAT does reveal nice images of fusion integrity, and surrounding vertebral bodies and foramina.

Question 2

i had a fusion l3-s1 in dec. my nerve pain came back & is worse & my lumbar spine pops. my pcp ordered a ct scan w/o contrast.what could be going on??

Accepted Answer

Need follow up: Looks like surgical complication fom your recent surgery. Ask your PCP re benefit CT vs MRI but surgeons like to do their own imaging if they need to intervene, for which you should schedule a follow up with them ASAP. Feel better!

Question 3

i had a ct scan of my abdomen and pelvis without contrast where mild levoscoliosis was found. there are mild degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. there is mild levoscoliosis. does this condition gets worse over time? im 32 years old?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: In contrast, Scoliosis (spinal curvature) found in early adolescent age often progresses.  By the way, CT scanning is not a good diagnostic tool for scoliosis.

Question 4

i am scheduled to have a ct-myelogram w/contrast. i had a reaction to the contrast material previously. i had a prior reaction. i have a charite artificial disc in my lumbar spine. i have a spinal fusion above and below the disc. l3-l4 are fused with the

Accepted Answer

"Contrast" : "contrast" is a preparation that is used in medical imaging to increase the visual difference between similar or adjacent tissues.  Contrast can be as simple as frothy salt solution, which is useful in some ultrasound studies, or much more complex, such as the gadolinium-containing molecules used for contrast in MRI studies.

Ct contrast contains iodine, an element whose properties block x-rays that are used in the ct scanner.  Common benign responses to iodine-containing contrast includes flushing (a pretty noticeable sense of warmth) and a metallic taste in the mouth.  More profound responses include itching, hives, and swelling in the throat.  These are called "anaphylactoid" reactions.  The risk of anaphylactoid reactions can be reduced with medications like Diphenhydramine and corticosteroids.  These sorts of reactions are common enough that radiologists and radiology technicians can spot them quickly, and all ct scanning suites are equipped to deal with them.

Seafood and topical iodine allergies are not predictors of who will develop an anaphylactoid reaction to ct contrast (although this is a widely-held erroneous belief).

Another response to ct contrast is kidney injury.  The risk of kidney injury might be reduced by things including avoiding certain medications and keeping well-hydrated prior to the procedure.

Concerns regarding reactions to ct contrast are valid, and should be addressed with the physician who orders the test as well as the physician who is responsible for performing the test.

Question 5

ordered ct scan brain  mri for  lumbar spine after fall stairs lft leg has been numb 3yr prior to stairs spine not bad brain chronic microvascular ishemic  white matter disease ms? autoimmune?

Accepted Answer

You need diagnosis: The left leg issues may be peripheral nerve or due to lumbar nerve compression, but would wonder about prior stoke or even spinal cord compression in neck.  This is not  ms or any autoimmune process.  See a neurosurgeon or a spine specialist and get this addressed.

Question 6

had an adnominal/pelvis ct scan, a chest x-ray, and a lumbar spine x-ray all within a year. does this significantly increase my cancer risk??

Accepted Answer

No: The radiation exposure form these studies is not likely to measurably increase your risk of cancer.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex.

Question 7

had ct scan to check for kidney stones, and few weeks later had mri of lumbar spine.i am a woman in thirties.does this increase risk of breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Radiation: That amount of radiation will not increase risk of breast cancer, it can affect the fetus if you are pregnant.

Question 8

i had back surgery 3 years ago and ended up with a spinal leak. i still have pain. will an mri of my lumbar spine with and without contrast show scarring or arachnoiditis. i will be seeing a pain doctor next week can he see this on an mri?

Accepted Answer

: Highly likely that post-operative scarring would be clearly and unambiguously imaged on an MRI.  Arachnoiditis is a clinical correlation as it is indeed a reason for chronic pain secondary to pre-existing events.  A pain specialist is an excellent choice.

Question 9

how long will an mri  with and without contrast take for the area of the brain, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine?

Accepted Answer

MRI Time: The actual procedure for the MRI could take up to approx 45 minutes for each level.  A ct scan takes less time but does expose you to radiation. The MRI does not expose you to radiation.

Question 10

is pulsating pain in the lumbar spine area normal?

Accepted Answer

No: No pain is normal in the lumber back.

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Doctor answers about:

Ct lumbar spine with and without contrast

A member asked:

Will a ct scan of the lumbar spine post fusion without contrast show pinched nerves or just bone structure and hardware?

A member asked:

I had a fusion l3-s1 in dec. my nerve pain came back & is worse & my lumbar spine pops. my pcp ordered a ct scan w/o contrast.what could be going on??

A member asked:

I had a ct scan of my abdomen and pelvis without contrast where mild levoscoliosis was found. there are mild degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. there is mild levoscoliosis. does this condition gets worse over time? im 32 years old?

A member asked:

I am scheduled to have a ct-myelogram w/contrast. i had a reaction to the contrast material previously. i had a prior reaction. i have a charite artificial disc in my lumbar spine. i have a spinal fusion above and below the disc. l3-l4 are fused with the

A member asked:

Ordered ct scan brain mri for lumbar spine after fall stairs lft leg has been numb 3yr prior to stairs spine not bad brain chronic microvascular ishemic white matter disease ms? autoimmune?

A member asked:

Had an adnominal/pelvis ct scan, a chest x-ray, and a lumbar spine x-ray all within a year. does this significantly increase my cancer risk??

A member asked:

Had ct scan to check for kidney stones, and few weeks later had mri of lumbar spine.i am a woman in thirties.does this increase risk of breast cancer?

A member asked:

I had back surgery 3 years ago and ended up with a spinal leak. i still have pain. will an mri of my lumbar spine with and without contrast show scarring or arachnoiditis. i will be seeing a pain doctor next week can he see this on an mri?

A member asked:

How long will an mri with and without contrast take for the area of the brain, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine?

A member asked:

Is pulsating pain in the lumbar spine area normal?

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