Cervical spine CT shows the bodies and processes of the neck vertebrae and the spinal canal in detail. It reliably detects fractures, tumours, and degenerative and inflammatory bone changes.
- Duration5 min
- Contrastusually not needed
- Preparationnone
- Report30 min – 1 hour
What it shows
- Vertebral fractures
- Benign (haemangioma) and malignant tumours, tumour spread from neighbouring organs into the vertebrae
- Osteochondrosis and spondylosis
- Disc herniations and bulges
- Spinal canal stenosis
- Developmental anomalies of the vertebrae
- Osteoporosis
- Spinal involvement in rheumatic diseases (ankylosing spondylitis)
When it is recommended
- Neck injury with a suspected vertebral fracture
- Neck pain with suspected osteochondrosis, spondylosis or disc herniation
- Suspected vertebral tumour or tumour spread from neighbouring organs (for example, the oesophagus)
- Suspected spinal canal stenosis
- Rheumatic diseases affecting the spine
- Developmental anomalies of the vertebrae
Good to know
- CT is better for bones and the spinal canal; MRI is more informative for the spinal cord, ligaments and intervertebral discs.
- A 3D model of the spine can be built if needed.
General information about CT — safety, contraindications, contrast and what to expect — is on the CT page.