A lumbosacral spine CT is a computed topography of the lower spine and surrounding tissues.
Alternative Names:
Spinal CT; CT - lumbosacral spine
How the test is performed:
The CT is performed with the patient lying face-up.
In some cases, an iodine-based contrast dye may be injected into a vein to help visualize tissues. In other cases, a CT of the lumbosacral spine may be performed after injecting contrast dye into the spinal canal during a lumbar puncture, to further check for pressure on the nerves.
The scan will usually last a few minutes.
How to prepare for the test:
The patient should remove all jewelry or other metals that may cause inaccurate images.
How the test will feel:
The x-rays are painless. The primary discomfort may be from the need to lie still on the table.
If a contrast dye is given through a vein, you may initially feel a slight burning sensation in the injected arm, a metallic taste in the mouth, and a warm flushing of the body. These sensations are normal and usually disappear within a few seconds.
Review Date: 10/25/2006
Reviewed By: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Computed Tomography (CT Scans)
