Lumbosacral spine X-ray

How the Test is Performed:
The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an X-ray technician. You will be asked to lie on the X-ray table and assume various positions. If the X-ray is to determine injury, care will be taken to prevent further injury. The X-ray machine will be positioned over the lumbosacral area of the spine. You will be asked to hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. Usually 3 to 5 pictures are taken.

A myelogram is an X-ray or CT scan of the spine that is performed after dye has been injected into the spinal fluid. See the document on lumbar puncture for more information about the dye insertion portion of this procedure.

How to Prepare:
Inform the health care provider if you are pregnant . Remove all jewelry.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:



How it Feels:
There is no discomfort associated with the X-ray . The table may be cold.

Risks:
There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the X-ray .

Why this Test is Performed:
This X-ray helps evaluate back injuries and persistent numbness , low back pain , or weakness .

Normal Values:
The X-ray shows normal structures for the age of the patient.

Abnormal Results:
The test will detect abnormalities such as fractures , dislocations, thinning of the bone ( osteoporosis ), and deformities in the curvature of the spine. The test may also detect bone spurs, disc problems (see herniated disk ), and degeneration of the vertebrae.

Cost:
The estimated cost is $60 to $100.

Special Considerations:
There are a number of back problems that the X-ray will not detect because they involve the muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues. A lumbosacral spine CT or Lumbosacral spine MRI are better options for soft tissue disorders.


Bone X-rays are a rapid way of determining the presence of fractures, dislocations, and other types of bone abnormalities. The procedure has the advantage of being painless and exposing the patient to only a small amount of radiation.



The spine is divided into several sections. The cervical vertebrae make up the neck. The thoracic vertebrae comprise the chest section and have ribs attached. The lumbar vertebrae are the remaining vertebrae below the last thoracic bone and the top of the sacrum. The sacral vertebrae are caged within the bones of the pelvis, and the coccyx represents the terminal vertebrae or vestigial tail.



These are the five vertebra of the lower back. The last vertebra (on the upper left of the picture) attaches to the sacrum, and the top vertebra (on the right of the picture) attaches to the thoracic section of the back. The vertebra are broader and stronger than the other bones in the spine. This allows them to absorb the added pressure applied to the lower back, but this area remains a common sight of injury. The vertebra are numbered from one to five and are labeled L1, L2, L3 etc. from the higher bones to the lower.



These are twelve vertebra of the mid back. The last vertebra (on the left side of the picture) attaches to the lumbar (lower) spine, and the top vertebra (on the right) attaches to the cervical (neck) section of the back. The vertebra are broader and stronger than the cervical bones. This allows them to absorb the added pressure applied to the mid back, but they remain a common sight of injury. The vertebra are numbered from one to twelve and labeled T1, T2, T3 etc. from the upper most bones to the lowest.



This is the spine and the sacrum with the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (lower back) vertebra. Notice how the appearance of the vertebra change as you look down the spine. The change in shape and size reflect the different functions of the neck, mid-back, and lower back.

CT scan of the spine after dye has been inserted into the spinal fluid. A lumbosacral spine X-ray is one of the most common X-rays involved with a myelogram.

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation (like light); they are of higher energy, however, and can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray. Learn to make informed health care decisions with the Medical Encyclopedia at drkoop.com.">