• Computed tomography is one of the most accurate and informative method of spine imaging;
• It provides detailed pictures of any tissue including bones, muscles, cartilages and nerves;
• We also can get a 3D-model of the spine in purpose to plan a surgery;
• Your body will be exposed to a very small amount of radiation;
• Unlike MRI CT can be performed in patients with implanted metal objects;
• CT procedure is painless, takes only few minutes and does not require any recovery after it;
• Also, cost of CT exam is much lower than MRI.

• Posttraumatic imaging;
• Congenital anomalies of the spine;
• Herniated intervertebral disc;
• Posture disorders;
• Osteopenia;
• Degenerative disc disease;
• Spine canal stenosis;
• Spondylosis;
• Metastasis evaluation;
• Radicular pain syndrome;
• Rheumatic fever.

• pregnancy and lactation;
• mental disorders;
• convulsive syndrome;
• claustrophobia.

• In some cases, like osteochondrosis, non-complicated fractures or tuberculosis CT may be replaced with a regular X-ray studies. Undoubtedly X-ray is cheaper and more accessible;
• MRI is useful in diagnostic of soft tissue like intervertebral disks, muscles and tendons as well as in cancer evaluation. It is an informative technique providing clear, detailed images and a 3D-model of the target area;
• Another procedure is myelography, when contrast agent is injected directly to the spinal canal. Myelography is a painful technique and may provoke some complications so it is rarely performed.

If CT examination with contrast enhancing was ordered, contrast medium would be injected in 20-30 minutes before the procedure. Mild sickness and metal taste are normal in first minutes after the injection but if discomfort increases, please, warn the radiologist!

CT scanner consists of cylinder-shaped bore and a moving table for the patient. The study is performed when the patient lies on back.

After brief instruction, technician leaves the CT room and would observe the procedure from the next office. You can communicate with him by intercom device built in the scanner at any moment during the examination.

During the scanning, you should lie as still as possible and follow all radiologist`s instruction. It`s necessary for the high quality of the images.

Immediately after the examination you can just go back to routine. There is no need for any recovery.

There are no special preparations. Preparing for the CT bring all previous tests and studies results with you to the Medscan.rf physician.

Without contrast enhancing it takes 1-2 minutes and 20 minutes with contrast enhancing

In some cases, we use contrast media to highlight some tissues in the image. It is iodine-based substance improving detalization of study.

The contrast agent is injected intravenously in 20 minutes before examination. In this time, the media spread with blood through the whole body. After contrasting the blood vessels would be marked in the pictures and it permits physician to see areas with increased blood supply like tumours or inflammation zone.

Contrast enhancing has some limitations:

• Idiosyncrasy of the substance. In purpose to detect it, special probe is performed before the injection;
• Breast feeding;
• Renal failure;
• Diabetes.

If patient has no limitation, contrast media is safe and excretes from the body within 1-2 days. We recommend patients to drink plenty of water to speed-up this process.

Depending on complexity of the study analysis may take from 10 minutes to 2 hours. You can always download the results from your personal account on our site.

With the study report you should consult with health care professional, for example, surgeon or osteopath. If you undergo the study spontaneously or you want the second opinion on the results, we can organize a specialist`s consultation for you. Imaging network Medscan.rf collaborates with Russian and world best clinics.

We perform CT of the thoracic spine in children older 6 month.

При записи на исследование следует обратить особое внимание на то, что некоторые виды рентгенологических исследований проводят с введением специального контрастного вещества для выявления точной анатомической структуры органа. При некоторых типах рентгена его вводят внутривенно, в других случаях — с использованием катетера. Полностью из организма выводится раствор в течение 48 часов.

При записи на исследование следует обратить особое внимание на то, что некоторые виды рентгенологических исследований проводят с введением специального контрастного вещества для выявления точной анатомической структуры органа. При некоторых типах рентгена его вводят внутривенно, в других случаях — с использованием катетера. Полностью из организма выводится раствор в течение 48 часов.