Benefits and Risks – Spine CT Scan

Benefits

• Spinal CT scanning is a rapid procedure and offers an accurate evaluation of bone and most soft tissues. Using the latest equipment, the spine may be displayed in multiple planes and three-dimensional imaging is an option.
• CT scanning is painless, noninvasive and accurate.
• A major advantage of CT is its ability to image bone, soft tissue and blood vessels all at the same time.
• CT has been shown to be a cost-effective imaging tool for a wide range of clinical problems.
• CT can be performed if you have an implanted medical device of any kind, unlike MRI.
• CT imaging provides real-time imaging, making it a good tool for guiding minimally invasive procedures such as needle biopsies and needle aspirations of many areas of the body, particularly the lungs, abdomen, pelvis and bones.
• A diagnosis determined by CT scanning may eliminate the need for exploratory surgery and surgical biopsy.
• No radiation remains in a patient's body after a CT examination.

Risks

• There are always some risks associated with any exposure to radiation. However, the benefit of an accurate diagnosis will generally outweigh the risk.
• The effective radiation dose for this procedure varies.
• Women should always inform their SMIL staff if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
• CT scanning is, in general, not recommended for pregnant women unless medically necessary because of potential risk to the baby.
• The risk of serious allergic reaction to contrast materials that contain iodine is extremely rare, and radiology departments are well-equipped to deal with them.
• If a patient is breast feeding and has a CT scan with IV contrast media, ACR guidelines state that it is safe for mother and infant to continue breast-feeding after receiving such an agent.  Less than 1% of contrast is excreted into the breast milk within the first 24 hours.
• Because children are more sensitive to radiation, they should have a CT exam only if it is essential for making a diagnosis and should not have repeated CT exams unless absolutely necessary. CT scans in children should always be done with low-dose technique.