About the Scan – Bone and Muscle (Musculoskeletal) CT Scan

SMIL offers bone and muscle (musculoskeletal) CT scans to evaluate abnormalities, pain and fractures in the bones. Bone and muscle CT scanning is a noninvasive medical test that combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or of the muscles and bones.

SMIL offers bone and muscle CT scans for the following areas:

  • Neck
  • Spine

A bone and muscle body CT scan provides images in greater clarity and reveal more details than regular x-ray exams. A bone and muscle CT scan can assist SMIL radiologists in examining trauma to the bones or muscles and musculoskeletal disorders.

Prior to your bone and muscle (musculoskeletal) CT scan, the SMIL technologist will begin by positioning you on the CT examination table, usually lying flat on your back or less commonly, on your side or on your stomach.

Next, the table will move quickly through the scanner to determine the correct starting position for the scans. Then, the table will move slowly through the machine as the actual CT scanning is performed. Depending on the type of CT scan, the machine may make several passes.

You may be asked to hold your breath during the scanning. Any motion, whether breathing or body movements, can lead to artifacts on the images.

When the examination is completed, you will be asked to wait until the technologist verifies that the images are of high enough quality for accurate interpretation. The CT scanning is usually completed within 30 minutes.

Learn how to prepare for a bone and muscle body CT scan in the preparations for a bone and muscle body CT scan section.

Find out if a bone and muscle body CT scan is right for you in the benefits and risks of a bone and muscle CT scan section.

For a downloadable/printable PDF about this exam with preparation instructions click here.

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