Yes. diagnosis of nerve damage, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is generally utilized in place of CT (Computed Tomography) scans. MRI generates higher quality soft tissue contrast, which provides improved visibility of nerves and the soft tissues around them such as ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. CT scans are used only for bones and are not as proficient in imaging soft tissues such as nerves.
What does a nerve resemble?
Your body has two nervous systems. Central nervous system (CNS), consisting of your brain and spinal cord, regulates posture as well as general function. Supplementing the CNS is the peripheral nervous system (PNS), consisting of nerves.
Nerves are similar to wires that carry information in the form of electrical messages (known as impulses) from your brain to the rest of you. Healthy nerves allow these messages to flow through freely, but damaged nerves can interfere with the flow of messages.
Nerves come directly from your brain (cranial nerves), others directly from your spinal cord (spinal nerves) and run all the way through your body, connecting with each cell, gland, muscle, organ, and limb, and even with each other. According to what is their main function, there are three kinds of nerves, that are.
What is a pinched nerve?
It results when surrounding tissues or an abnormality, bone spur, tumour, fracture, bulging or herniated disc, oedema (swelling), or joint dislocation place too much pressure on a nerve. Pinched nerves are frequently observed in the lower back, upper-middle back, and neck but may also occur in the wrist, elbow, foot, shoulder, and hip.
Trapped vagus nerve: It comes out of the brain and coils around tissue and organs as it courses through the face, neck and down to the lower abdomen. It provides your brain with monitoring and regulating power over your mouth, heart, lungs, and digestive system.
What is nerve damage?
When peripheral nerve injury takes place, it most often in the PNS, thereby being referred to as peripheral neuropathy or peripheral nerve injury (PNI). It is when a nerve(s) is injured or compromised, and its structure and efficiency at sending signals are affected by it.
- Compression.
- Physical injury (e.g., cut wounds, overstretching and sporting injuries)
- Side effects of drugs or chemical poisoning.
- Dietary deficiencies.
Illness including type-2 diabetes, degenerative illness, infectious illness (e.g., HIV, Lyme disease, hepatitis C and shingles) and autoimmune illness (e.g., multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome).
Peripheral nerve diseases that alter the structure or function of nerves, causing pain, weakness, or numbness.
Nerve injury may occur suddenly or over time, when inflammation, pre-existing chronic health conditions, and age-related illness are present, over a few weeks, months, or even years.
CT Scan: Restricted for Nerves, Critical for Bones
Best for Acute and Bone Trauma: CT scans are best at imaging bones, fractures, and bony lesions that can compress nerves, for example, bone spurs or herniated discs.
Indirect Nerve Evaluation: Regular CT scans do not demonstrate nerves well unless a specialized technique, CT myelography, is employed, in which contrast dye is injected into the spinal fluid. This has added risks and is usually reserved for use when MRI is contraindicated.
Conclusion
MRI is usually better than CT scans for nerve damage detection and evaluation due to its capacity for direct visualization of nerves and precise imaging of soft tissues without radiation. CT scans are still priceless in assessing fractures and are the choice when there is acute trauma or MRI is contraindicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a CT Lumbar Spine Scan?
A CT Lumbar Spine scan is an imaging modality that uses computed X-rays to take images of the lower back (lumbar in the spinal column). It is necessary to determine whether there are structural problems or abnormalities of the lumbar spine.
Q. What is a CT Lumbar Spine Scan with Contrast?
CT Lumbar Spine Scan with Contrast is otherwise termed CECT Lumbar Spine scan, which uses a contrast dye (most often iodine) to visualize internal structures, typically better than a CT scan without aid. This is particularly useful with subtle abnormalities or if the abnormalities lie hidden behind bones of the lumbar spine.
Q. Will a CT Scan show lumbar spine cancer?
Yes a CT scan will help to identify lumbar spine cancer, as the CT scan provides clear images to show tumors or other suspiciously formed structures.
Q. Where can l get a CT lumbar spine scan in Delhi?
If you are located in Delhi then you can book your CT Lumbar Spine scan via CareBox and benefit from huge discounts, please contact us for booking appointment and other information.
