PCL 6-investigation

Investigations

Spine X ray

Spine X-rays provide detailed images of the bones of the spine, and can be taken separately for the three main parts of the spine--cervical (neck), thoracic (mid back) and lumbar (lower back).

During an X-ray, a focused beam of radiation is passed through your body, and a black-and-white image is recorded on special film or a computer.

Spine X-rays can help detect:

• Check for arthritis of the joints between the vertebrae and the breakdown (degeneration) of the discs between the spinal bones.
• Check injuries to the spine, such as fractures or dislocations.
• Check the spine for effects from other problems, such as infections, tumors, or bone spurs.
• Check for abnormal curvatures of the spine, such as scoliosis, in children or young adults.
• Check the spine for problems present at birth (congenital conditions), such as spina bifida, in infants, children, or young adults.
• Check changes in the spine after spinal surgery.

MRI SCAN

This is probably the most sensitive test for assessing sciatic nerve pain. An MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. The MRI scanner is a tube surrounded by a giant circular magnet. The patient is placed on a moveable bed that is inserted into the magnet. The magnet creates a strong magnetic field that aligns the protons of hydrogen atoms, which are then exposed to a beam of radio waves. This spins the various protons of the body, and they produce a faint signal that is detected by the receiver portion of the MRI scanner. The receiver information is processed by a computer, and an image is produced.

The test will show the vertebral bones and intervertebral discs in amazing detail and clarity. Degenerative disc disease is easily diagnosed using an MRI.

An MRI Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan. The body part to be scanned is placed within the magnetic field of a super magnet and radio waves are fired at the patient. Based on the distortion of the radio waves (dependent on density and fluid content) a computerised image of the body part is produced. This is used in the diagnosis of numerous sports injuries.','',250)" onmouseout="hideddrivetip()">MRI scan of the back can show whether a Herniated disc is present, together with the size and direction of the prolapse from the Herniated disc.

Other common processes often blamed for back pain, such as facet joint degeneration and osteoarthritis can also be imaged, as well as their potential effects on surrounding spinal nerve roots.

MR Neurography

Magnetic Resonance neurography was effective to reveal that a pinched-nerve in the pelvis called piriformis syndrome caused sciatic leg pain in the majority of patients who had failed diagnosis with an MRI scan and/or who were not treated successfully with surgery

MRN uses specialized MRI technology called pulse sequences in combination with 3-D software to take pictures of the nerves. The pulse sequences render pictures of nerves as the brightest structures in the image, separating them out from the other structures for a detailed look. The 3-D software allows the doctor to follow the nerves as they course a non-linear path through the body, for a complete set of view

Computerized tomography (CT) scan

which produces detailed, cross-sectional images of the spine using a narrow beam of radiation. A contrast dye is injected into the spinal canal before the X-rays are taken, causing the spinal cord and spinal nerves to appear white when scanned.

During the test, you will lie on a table that is attached to the CT scanner, which is a large doughnut-shaped machine. The CT scanner sends X-rays through the body. Each rotation of the scanner takes a second and provides a picture of a thin slice of the organ or area being studied. One part of the scanning machine can tilt to follow the curve of your spine. All of the pictures are saved as a group on a computer. They also can be printed.

In some cases, a dye (contrast material) may be put in a vein (IV) in your arm or into the spinal canal (intrathecally). The dye make structures and organs easier to see on the CT pictures. The dye may be used to check blood flow and to look for tumors, areas of inflammation, or nerve damage.

Why It Is Done

A CT scan of the spine is done to:

• Look at the bones of the spine (vertebrae).
• Find problems of the spine, such as tumors, fractures, deformities, infection, or narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis).
• Find a herniated disc of the spine.
• Check to see if osteoporosis has caused compression fractures.
• Check on problems of the spine that have been present since birth (congenital).
• Look at problems seen during a standard X-ray test.
• Check how well spinal surgery or therapy is working for a spine problem.

Laboratory screening tests of blood, urine, or other substances are used to help diagnose disease, better understand the disease process, and monitor levels of therapeutic drugs. Certain tests, ordered by the physician as part of a regular check-up, provide general information, while others are used to identify specific health concerns. For example, blood and blood product tests can detect brain and/or spinal cord infection, bone marrow disease, hemorrhage, blood vessel damage, toxins that affect the nervous system, and the presence of antibodies that signal the presence of an autoimmune disease.