Finding the right tests…
Emergency services available 24 x 7
Emergency services available 24 x 7
Finding the right tests…
CT Scan
A hard fall, a road accident, or a neck injury that leaves you unable to turn your head is one of the most urgent reasons this scan gets ordered. CT of the cervical spine has become the standard first choice for suspected neck fractures after trauma, because it picks up fine bone detail across all seven vertebrae that a plain neck X-ray can miss - which matters most when a patient is confused or otherwise hard to examine reliably. Away from trauma, doctors also order it for degenerative disease: canal narrowing, bone spurs, and disc problems that build up over years. The scan uses X-rays, not magnets, so it moves faster than an MRI.
This scan images all seven cervical vertebrae, the discs between them, and the bony canal that houses the spinal cord. It shows fractures, dislocation, disc herniation, and narrowing of the spinal canal. Your doctor reads the images together with your symptoms and, after an injury, your neurological exam.
Your cervical spine is the stack of seven vertebrae that support your head and protect the spinal cord as it leaves your skull. This scan takes X-ray images from multiple angles and reconstructs them into detailed cross-sections and, when needed, 3D views of that bone.
After a fall or accident, cervical CT is now used ahead of plain X-ray in most emergency settings, because fine fracture lines and small dislocations show up more reliably on CT. It's especially relied on when a patient can't be examined properly - due to pain, confusion, or other injuries - since missing a cervical fracture in that situation carries real risk.
Doctors also order this scan for: - Suspected disc herniation or nerve compression - Canal narrowing from degenerative wear - Neck pain that hasn't responded to treatment - Checking the spine after neck surgery - Planning before spinal surgery
Ask your doctor whether a plain scan is enough or whether contrast dye is needed for your situation.
CT shows fine bone detail across the whole cervical spine in one pass, which makes it more reliable for finding small fractures after trauma. That's why it's become the standard first scan for suspected neck injury in most emergency settings.
Yes, CT uses X-rays and involves more radiation than a single plain film. Your doctor weighs this against how urgently a fracture needs to be ruled out.
Not always. Many cervical spine CTs, especially after trauma, are done without contrast. Your doctor decides based on what's being checked.
It can show disc herniation or bone changes that may be compressing a nerve root. Your doctor combines the images with your symptoms and exam findings to reach a diagnosis.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
The scan itself is quick, usually just a few minutes on the table, though positioning and any contrast add some time. Ask the centre for a more exact estimate on the day.
Jewelry, hairpins, and any removable metal near the neck usually need to come off, since metal can interfere with the images. Ask your doctor or the centre about anything specific to your situation, including neck braces or implants.
CT involves radiation, so it's generally avoided in pregnancy unless there's a clear medical need. Tell your doctor and the centre if you're pregnant or think you might be.
No, they show different things. CT is better for bone detail like fractures, while MRI shows the spinal cord and soft tissue more clearly - your doctor decides which one, or both, fits your case.