Neck X-ray

An x-ray procedure should be avoided in pregnant women as the radiation can cause birth defects.

A neck x-ray is done to:

• Look for damage to the cervical vertebrae due to a neck injury or trauma
• Check for dislocation of vertebrae
• Diagnose tumours or infections
• Check for obstruction in the air passage due to swelling or other problem in neck
• Assess the patient’s condition before and after neck surgeries
• Check for wear and tear of bones or intervertebral discs whether due to an underlying health condition

You may be asked to undergo this test if you have the following symptoms:

• Persistent weakness, numbness or pain in the neck
• Muscle tightness or spasms in the neck area
• Headache
• Decreased ability to move neck
• Tingling, numbness and weakness in hands and legs 
• Loss of bladder or bowel control 
• Difficulty in walking

 The following preparations are needed before a neck x-ray. 

• Remove all the metal objects and jewellery before the test.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have implanted medical devices in the neck, jaw or mouth.
• If you are pregnant or have recently undergone a barium x-ray, inform your doctor in advance. In the case of a neck injury, a collar or brace will be provided to limit the movement of the neck.

The following procedure is performed for cervical spine x-ray:

• You will be provided with a hospital gown to wear. 
• The technologist will tell you to lie down on a table and put a protective shield (a lead apron) over your body parts that are not being examined. 
• Then, he/she will step behind a special window and ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds while capturing the images.
• Once the images are taken, the technologist will check them for clarity. if they are blurred, the test is redone.

This procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes.

This test is painless. However, you may feel uncomfortable when your neck is being positioned for the test, especially if you have a neck injury. You may also feel cold due to the air conditioning in the testing room.

The following conditions can be diagnosed with cervical spine x-ray: 

• Fracture 
• Osteoporosis (thinning of the bone)
• Epiglottitis (inflammation of the tissue that covers the windpipe) 
• Kyphosis (issues with the curve of the upper spine)
• Dislocation of bone
• Bone spurs (extra bone growth on the neck)
• Disk problems
• Wearing away of the neck vertebrae 
• Croup (infection of the vocal cord)
• Cervical spondylosis (wear and tear of the spaces between the bones of the spinal cord)

 The benefits of x-ray test are as follows:

• No radiation is left in the body after the procedure. 
• There are no known side effects of x-ray exposure in the diagnostic range.

No special care is required after the test.

Some of the tests that are done with a neck x-ray are as follows:

• Myelography 
• Computed tomography scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Bone scan

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.