|
Bone Scan:
A test used in the diagnosis of pathologies such as tumor, infection of fractures. It involves the injection of contrast media into the vein and later taking pictures of the skeleton to see where the solution was absorbed.
Computerized Tomography (CT):
Special type of x-ray scan which uses a computer to take cross section pictures of area scanned. This is helpful with visualization of anatomy of the spine.
Discogram:
A test done to try to isolate whether a certain disc is contributing to a patients usual leg and back pain. This test is performed by injecting dye into intervertebral discs and evaluating patients response to the injection.
Electromyelogram (EMG):
A test involving placement of small needles into specific muscles and recording the electrical activity of the muscle.
Epidural Steroid Injection:
Injection of local anesthetic and steroid medication into epidural space or area surrounding nerves. It is used to try to decrease inflammation of tissues in the area, therefore, decrease pain. Also used as a diagnostic and therapeutic test.
Helical CT:
Special CT scan used usually to evaluate the integrity of a spinal fusion. Thin 1 mm x-ray cuts are taken and the computer reconstructs the images for viewing in different planes.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
A test which utilized magnetic fields and computers to create pictures of internal structures. This test is helpful in visualizing anatomy of spine, especially soft tissues such as the discs between the vertebrae, and the spinal cord and nerves.
Myelogram:
A procedure which includes the injection of contrast media into the spinal canal and visualization of the flow through use of plain x-rays and CT scans. This is helpful in evaluation spinal cord and nerve roots exiting spinal cord.
Selective Nerve Root Block:
Injection of local anesthetic and/or steroid around specific nerve roots to determine if patients usual pain is coming from that nerve root, and to give relief of symptoms by decreasing inflammation.
Tomograms:
Special x-ray test used to define the anatomy of an area of spine or to evaluate the integrity of a spinal fusion. Using a moving x-ray machine and film, x-rays are taken as if one is slicing through the area of interest.
X-rays:
Pictures useful in looking at structure and alignment of vertebra.
|
