Lumbosacral spine CT assesses the bone of the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum and the width of the spinal canal. It is often ordered to clarify unclear or inconclusive X-ray findings.
- Duration5 min
- Contrastusually not needed
- Preparationnone
- Report30 min – 1 hour
What it shows
- Vertebral fractures
- Benign and malignant tumours, tumour spread from neighbouring organs into the vertebrae
- Osteochondrosis and spondylosis (osteophytes, endplate sclerosis)
- Disc herniations and bulges
- Vertebral slippage (displacement)
- Spinal canal stenosis
- Developmental anomalies of the vertebrae
- Osteoporosis, spinal involvement in rheumatic diseases (ankylosing spondylitis)
When it is recommended
- Lower back pain, including pain radiating to the legs
- Lower back injury, suspected fracture
- Unclear or inconclusive X-ray findings
- Suspected tumour or metastases in the spine
- Suspected spinal canal stenosis
Good to know
- MRI shows discs, ligaments and muscles in more detail; CT shows bone more clearly, so it is better for fractures, tumours and vertebral slippage.
- If lower back and leg pain may come from the thoracic spine, the doctor may order an extended scan that includes the thoracic section.
- Neighbouring organs are partly visible, so non-spinal causes of pain, such as a kidney stone, are sometimes found.
General information about CT — safety, contraindications, contrast and what to expect — is on the CT page.