Neck X-ray

This test may be performed on a person with these symptoms:

• acute or chronic neck pain
• severe head injury or neck injury
• injury to other parts of the spinal column, chest wall, or pelvis
• arthritis or other degenerative bone and joint problem
• limited movement, numbness, or pain in the arms, hands, or fingers
• loss of consciousness

X-rays are energy in the form of electromagnetic waves that are produced by an x-ray machine. Tissues that lie in the path of the x-ray beam absorb or block x-rays to varying degrees. Tissues are of different densities, which determine the final images on the film. Bone blocks most of the beam and appears white. Soft tissue partially blocks the beam and appears gray. Fat blocks even less of the x-ray beam and appears as a darker shade of gray or black.

An x-ray technologist takes the images of cervical spine. The technologist's goal is to get the best image using as little radiation as possible. The standard neck films require precise positioning and usually include:

• a frontal view of the neck
• a side or lateral view of the neck
• an "open-mouth" view of the neck

The "open-mouth" view simply involves the person opening his or her mouth while the x-ray is taken. This special view is particularly useful in evaluating the uppermost part of the cervical spine.

Other views are often needed, especially if portions of the cervical spine are not seen well or excluded from the standard views. These series of cervical spine images may be taken with the person standing, sitting upright, or lying flat.

A neck x-ray can be performed on a person with a neck brace or stabilizing collar. If necessary, the x-ray beam penetration can be altered to better study soft tissue disorders of the neck, including:

• inflamed tonsils, or tonsillitis
• throat infection
• enlarged cervical lymph nodes
• foreign body in the upper esophagus or upper airway

No special preparation is needed. A woman of childbearing age will be screened for pregnancy using a urine pregnancy test. Jewelry, such as necklaces and earrings, and dentures should be removed before the exam.

A specialized doctor called a radiologist will examine the films. The radiologist will forward a verbal and/or written report to the person's personal healthcare professional. . The healthcare professionals will use the results to establish the next course of action or treatment plan.

Abnormal findings of a neck x-ray include:

• degenerative arthritis changes
• traumatic or pathologic fracture
• spondylosis, a degeneration of the disks and vertebrae
• spondylolisthesis, a forward slipping of one vertebrae on the one below
• metastatic tumor invasion, that is, a tumor caused by cancer cells traveling from another part of the body

Any fracture identified on a cervical spine x-ray will require further evaluation with a CT scan and/or an MRI scan. Neck pain associated with arm and hand numbness often indicates a vertebral disk problem. These symptoms are first evaluated with a cervical spine series followed by an MRI scan.