X - Ray Sacro-Coccygeal Spine 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 Sacro-Coccygeal Spine LAT View

What is X - Ray Sacro-Coccygeal Spine LAT View?

An X-ray of the sacro-coccygeal spine is a safe and painless test to visualise the sacrum (a triangular bone at the end of the spine), coccyx (known as tailbone, located just above the anus) and the surrounding soft tissues like muscles using small amount of radiation. The image is recorded on a special X-ray film. The X-ray image is black and white in colour. Dense structures such as the bones, appear white and softer body tissues, such as the skin and muscles appear darker. The actual exposure time to radiation is usually less than a second, although the overall test may take 20-30 minutes.

What is X - Ray Sacro-Coccygeal Spine LAT View used for?

To find the cause of lower back pain or coccydynia (pain in the coccyx) that lasts for a long time
To look for any injury or fracture of the sacrum or tailbone
To diagnose any suspected abnormal growths (tumors like sacrococcygeal chordoma), birth defects, infections, inflammation or degenerative diseases of the sacrococcygeal junction

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

Frequently Asked Questions about X - Ray Sacro-Coccygeal Spine 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.