Lumbosacral spine x-ray

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Skeletal spine

Vertebra, lumbar (low back)

Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)

Vertebral column

Sacrum

Posterior spinal anatomy

Overview

Risks

Results

Lumbosacral spine x-ray

Alternative Names:

X-ray - lumbosacral spine; Myelography

What the risks are:

There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared with the benefits.

Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of x-rays.

Special considerations:

There are a number of back problems that an x-ray will not detect because they involve the muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues. A lumbosacral spine CT or lumbosacral spine MRI are better options for soft tissue disorders.

Review Date: 1/24/2005
Reviewed By: Jeffrey J. Brown, M.D., F.A.C.R., Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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