CT scan of the thoracic spine without contrast injection

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Viet Thu - Doctor of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Patients with suspected lesions in bones, discs, spinal canal... can be ordered by a doctor to have a CT scan of the thoracic spine for accurate diagnosis. From there, the doctor will give the most effective treatment advice for the patient.

1. An overview of the thoracic vertebrae

In humans, there are 12 thoracic vertebrae, numbered T1-T12, with T1 closest to the skull, the other bones spreading down toward the spine and lumbar region. The thoracic vertebrae fuse with the ribs and sternum to protect the organs in the ribcage. The characteristics of the thoracic vertebrae are that the body is thicker than the cervical vertebrae, the spine is long and downward, the vertebral foramen is nearly round, and there is a rib fossa on the side of the vertebral body.
The thoracic spine is less prone to degeneration than the cervical and lumbar spine. Herniated discs also rarely occur in the thoracic spine.
With health problems, traumatic pathologies in the thoracic spine or nearby organs, doctors often order a CT scan of the thoracic spine to have an accurate diagnosis.

2. Technique of CT scan of thoracic spine without contrast injection

This technique is performed by using a computerized tomography machine to create images of the thoracic spine, helping the doctor evaluate damage to the discs, bones, spinal canal and nearby components.

2.1 Indications and contraindications

● Indications: Performing CT scan of the thoracic spine to evaluate trauma, inflammation, and tumors of the bones and soft parts of the thoracic spine.
● Contraindications: The CT scan of the thoracic spine has no absolute contraindications. However, this technique is relatively contraindicated for pregnant women.

2.2 Technical preparation

● Implementation personnel: Specialist doctors, radiology technicians and nurses;
● Technical facilities: Computer tomography machine (preferably multi-sequence model with 8 rows or more), film, film printer and image storage system.
● Patient: Get a clear explanation of the technique by the doctor to coordinate well with the doctor during the examination; remove metal objects on the body such as necklaces, earrings, hairpins, dental tools; sedation is given if the patient is overstimulated and unable to lie still.
● Test card: Need to have a computerized tomography scan order.

2.3 Procedure for CT scan of the thoracic spine without contrast injection

● Patient position: Lie on your back in the machine frame, lower your shoulders as much as possible, raise your arms up along the body axis. The patient held his breath and did not swallow during the scan.
Localization of the entire thoracic spine in both planes, starting from the upper border of C7 to the lower border of L1.
● Set the scan program according to the necessary clinical requirements. The doctor can take a picture of the entire thoracic spine or take a cut in the direction of the discs (evaluate the pathology of herniated disc), using software that allows image processing after the scan.
● Select movie capture on movie windows and disc windows.

2.4 Reading results

● Assess for congenital abnormalities of the spine;
● Consider the lesions seen in degenerative spondylosis such as degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, ligament degeneration or lateral joint block degeneration;
● Evaluation of vertebral body injuries such as vertebral body rupture, vertebral body slip, vertebral collapse, vertebral soft tissue injury, displaced image of posterior vertebral wall injury, posterior arch injury, traumatic hematoma injury, signs of disc herniation, location of iodine-contrast foreign bodies.

2.5 Risk of accident

● CT scan technique of the thoracic spine without contrast injection does not cause complications;
● There may be some errors that need to be re-implanted if the patient does not remain motionless during the CT scan or the image is not clearly revealed,...
Is the CT scan procedure of the thoracic spine not clear? Contrast injection is quite simple, but it needs close coordination of the patient with the doctor to ensure that the whole process goes smoothly, to obtain accurate diagnosis results, without having to repeat the technique.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical facility in Vietnam with a team of highly qualified medical professionals, well-trained, domestic and foreign, and experienced.
A system of modern and advanced medical equipment, possessing many of the best machines in the world, helping to detect many difficult and dangerous diseases in a short time, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of doctors the most effective. The hospital space is designed according to 5-star hotel standards, giving patients comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.
Ths.Bs Nguyen Viet Thu has more than 20 years of experience working in the field of diagnostic imaging, former Secretary of the Department of Radiology in Hanoi, directing the lower level in the field of Diagnostic Imaging. Currently, the doctor is working at the Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
To register for an examination at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact the nationwide Vinmec Health System Hotline, or register online HERE.