X - Ray Cervical Spine AP & LAT View

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

Depending on the area to be imaged, you may be asked to wear a hospital gown at the time of the scan.
You may have to remove your jewelry and any metal objects which might interfere with the image.
Pregnant women should inform their doctor (and x-ray technician) as the radiations may affect the fetus. If needed, precautions can be taken to lower the radiation exposure to the fetus.
You may be asked to empty your bladder and pass stools before the X-ray.

Understanding X - Ray Cervical Spine AP & LAT View

What is X - Ray Cervical Spine AP & LAT View?

X-Ray Cervical Spine AP & LAT View test is used to visualize the first seven vertebral bones (C1 - C7) of the spinal column (backbone) located in the neck region. This test helps visualize intervertebral discs and the surrounding soft tissues like skin and muscles. The X-ray image is black and white. Dense structures such as the bones appear white, while softer tissues such as the skin and muscles appear darker.
This test is prescribed to find the cause of neck pain, look for injury of the spinal bones, diagnose any suspected tumors or infections of the spine, and detect any suspected disc problems.
An X-ray of the cervical spine is relatively safe as radiation exposure time is usually less than a second. The overall test may take 20-30 minutes.

What is X - Ray Cervical Spine AP & LAT View used for?

To find the cause of the neck pain or upper back pain that lasts for a long time
To look for any injury or fracture of the spinal bones (vertebrae)
To diagnose any suspected tumors (abnormal growth), arthritis, osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) or infections of the spine
To detect any suspected disc problems like spondylolisthesis (dislocation or slipping of one vertebra over the other), degeneration of the disc or herniated disc
To look for any abnormalities in the curvature of the spine like lordosis (excessive inward curve of spine), kyphosis (excessive outward curve of spine also known as hunch back), scoliosis (side to side abnormal curvature) or birth defects

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about X - Ray Cervical Spine AP & LAT View

Frequently Asked Questions about X - Ray Cervical Spine AP & LAT View

Q. What are the drawbacks of a bone X-ray?

X-ray images give a very clear view of the bones. However, it does not provide a good visual image of the soft tissues like tendons, muscles or fat tissue under the skin. Even the bone microfractures or complicated spine injuries are not clearly visible on the X Ray images. Apart from this, it also exposes the patient to some amount of radiations but the benefit of the information gained from an X-ray image outweighs the risk of radiations.

Q. Who interprets the X-ray results?

The interpretation of an X-Ray image is carried out by a radiologist who analyses or reads the X-ray image and prepares a report of the findings which is shared with the patient.