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Medical Video: How to Read Your Neck X-rays / Know What Doctors Are Not Telling You - Dr. Alan Mandell, D.C.
Definition
What is a neck x-ray?
A neck x-ray (also called a cervical spine x-ray) is taking X-rays from your neck, where there are seven bones in your neck that protect the top of your spine. Neck X-rays also show surrounding structures, including vocal cords, tonsils, adenoids, trachea (throat), and epiglottis (tissue flaps that cover your throat when you swallow).
X-ray X-rays are a form of radiation that passes through your body to expose pieces of film, forming images of your body. Solid structures such as bones appear white on X-rays because only a small amount of radiation can pass through them to expose the film to the other side. Fine tissues such as blood vessels, skin, fat, and muscles, are not so dense, so that radiation can pass through it more. This structure will look dark gray on X-ray images.
When should I have a neck x-ray?
If you experience a neck injury or persistent numbness, pain, or weakness in the upper body, your doctor may recommend X-rays. Your doctor will check the x-ray as proof for the following conditions:
- cracks or fractures
- swelling in or near the respiratory tract
- loss of cervical bone due to osteoporosis
- bone tumor or cyst
- chronic conditions in your disc and neck joint (cervical spondylosis)
- the joint is not in the normal position (dislocation)
- abnormal growth in bone (bone spurs)
- spinal deformity
- swelling around the croup
- swelling of the tissue that covers your throat (epiglotitis)
- foreign objects lodged in the throat or airway
- enlargement of tonsils and adenoids
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing a neck x-ray?
There is low radiation beam exposure. X-rays are monitored so that the lowest amount of radiation is used to produce images. Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risk of X-rays. Further shooting with CT or MRI (not discussed) is often appropriate to use in situations of high-risk injuries, neurological deficits, limited clinical examinations, or if there are unclear X-ray imaging results.
Process
What should I do before undergoing a neck x-ray?
You should tell your doctor if you are or there is a possibility of pregnancy. Remove all your jewelry.
How is the X-ray process of the neck?
A neck X-ray is performed by a radiologist in the radiology room. The three standard displays taken are AP (anteroposterior appearance, appearance of the spine from the front side); lateral (showing the spine from the side) and appearance of peg (this view looks at the top of the spine and requires the patient to open the mouth wide). The 5-series includes display flexion and extension. X-rays are taken with the patient's head in full flexion (leaning forward as far as possible). Patients will be asked to bend their head forward as far as possible, and extend the back neck as far as possible.
What should I do after undergoing a X-ray?
If an X-ray is done to check for an injury, there may be a feeling of discomfort in your neck while in a certain position. Care will be taken to prevent further injury. Other tests, such as MRI, can be used to look for disks or nerve problems. The radiologist will process the X-ray image and send it to your doctor within a few days.
If you have questions relating to the process of this test, consult your doctor for a better understanding.
Explanation of Test Results
What do the test results mean?
If bone and tissue look normal on X-ray images, you might not have it bone spurs, spinal deformities, cervical spondylosis, etc. If one of these abnormalities appears on an X-ray image, the doctor will discuss treatment options with you.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
