A CT scan of your lower back or spine is a common medical imaging test. It’s for the lumbar spine. Also referred to as the LS spine. That’s where your vertebrae in your lower back live. It also encompasses the sacrum. It sometimes scans a portion of the tailbone (coccyx). Your LS spine is very important to support your body.
What Are The Preparations For Your LS Spine CT Scan?
There will not be a lot that you will need to do for the most part. You can generally eat and drink as normal. Just continue with any normal medication.
You will need to inform your doctor of any allergies, though. Especially if you ever had an allergy to contrast material. It is typically injected via an IV line. Pregnancy is minimized as much as possible when you have radiation.
Wear loose, baggy attire on test day. Take off all metal objects. They are jewelry, belts, and clothing with metal buttons or zippers. Metal will disrupt the CT scans.
How Does The Scan Work?
The CT scan is usually an outpatient. That is a nice term for saying you may possibly get to go home the instant you’re through. The actual scan itself is usually brief. It’ll be 15 to 30 minutes. You’ll lie on a thin table. The scanner is big and round. It sort of resembles a donut.
While you are being scanned, the X-ray tube inside the scanner will move all around your body. It will take numerous images from numerous angles. Don’t move a muscle. The images will blur when you move.
If we’re doing a contrast dye, you might feel a sense of warmth. There are certain individuals who even get a metallic taste in the mouth. These are all usually temporary and will pass soon pretty quickly.
What To Do Following Your CT Scan Of The LS Spine?
Once your scan is done, the table will be removed from the scanner. You usually can return to normal activities immediately. In case you’ve had contrast dye, you can try and think of that as best as possible by drinking a lot of water. That gives your body lots of space to rinse out the dye.
Your CT scan pictures will be reviewed by a radiologist. The radiologist will then provide a report to your referring doctor.
Your doctor will discuss the results with you. He/she will explain what the images show. He/she will also explain any treatment or follow-up needed.
What Is The Cost Of A CT Scan Of The LS Spine?
A CT scan of the LS spine ranges around me in Delhi usually INR 3500 to INR 7000, and this also varies with diagnostic centers and cost factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is detected by an LS spine CT scan?
An LS spine CT scan assists radiologists to identify back pain and leg pain particularly, and it can also identify trauma to the lower back, fractures and dislocation of vertebrae, etc.
Q. What is the abbreviation of CT scan?
The abbreviation of CT scan is computed tomography.
Q. What is post-CT scan LS spine aftercare?
You should have water after the exam to excrete contrast material more quickly.
Q. Is there any side effect of a CT scan of the LS spine?
The LS spine is a rapid and non-surgical way to identify the lower back abnormalities; it is relatively safe if all the precautions are taken by the healthcare professional and the patient.
