A member asked:
Had l spine xray and ct scan for kidney stones, all clear. low back pain..would l spine xray have shown lower back tumor? no stones, uti, etc.
9 doctors weighed in across 4 answers
No: X-ray does not show soft tissue well. So, if tumor, ct or MRI would be needed to show it. You mention that you have had a ct for stones. Usually this is abdominal ct and pelvic ct. If so, it would show low back. Your doc can tell you how much showed on ct and can discuss whether there is a reason for you to worry about a tumor.
Answered 1/5/2019
4.8k views
Possibly: It might, but some tumors are not visible with a non-contrast ct scan.
Answered 3/22/2014
4.8k views
No: An x-ray of the lumbar spine would predominantly show only bone. In general, an x-ray is not a very sensitive test to detect the specific cause of back pain in most patients. Consider requesting an MRI which shows the bone, but also shows the nerves, discs, and other soft tissues of the back and is therefore much more sensitive than an x-ray.
Answered 9/5/2020
4.8k views
Not sensitive test: Xray will show large obvious bony masses but this is not asensitive way to evaluate for cancer. Consider a pet scan or MRI depending on symptoms. But before you scare yourself too much, why are you questioning if you have canser. Do you have weight loss, fevers, chills, night sweats, or other symptoms that make yuo think you have cancer? Because of your questions, you need to see your pcp.
Answered 1/13/2016
4.3k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
Urgency to pee, back ache. Negative Uti. Ct scan show no kidney stones but some lyph node swelling. Dr didnt seem concerned. Could it be shingles?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
If it's bad enough to cause pain, wld myeloma be visible on plain xray (l spine)? Or on CT to check for kidney stones. Had both and both show normal.
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Blood in urine reoccuing UTI CT scan 3mm kidney stone bladder ultra sound scan shows bladder not emptying proper what could this be?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
I have was just diagnosed with a UTI & kidney infection. I also had a CT scan which showed no Kidney stones. The urgent care Dr. i have been seeing the last 2 days is at a loss on why i am having the sever kidney pain. He assumes its due to me taking narc
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
I am 30 yrs.Old man I have constant urge to urinate...I had uro test no UTI was found had CT scan no kidney stone what is causing this feeling?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
People also searched for:
L spine, CT scan came back normal, only have lower back pain. No uti, stones, etc. Would l spine show lower back tumor? Dr. Says l spine was normal?
Would a tumor caused from lymphoma, e.G. Node, etc, show up on plain xray and ct?Low back pn, clear l spine xray and CT to look for kidney stones, etc.
Without contrast in CT scan is it possible to mix up tumors and kidney stones? I had no back pain but was told i had a large stone during a UTI at er.
Could bladder cancer show up on CT scan done for kidney stones? Came back clear.Also had l-spine xray that was clear for any abnormalities.
After a tough workout following Covid inf, visible blood in urine for 1 day. Micro. Blood 3 days later. No uti present. CT scan neg for stones. Showed some enlarged retroperitoneal nodes (10mm or less). Lower back pain off & on for 2-3 mo. Any ideas?
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Get the HealthTap app
Video visit and message your doctor
