Spinal X-ray: Results
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Results
Spinal X-rays are pictures of the spine to find spinal fractures, infections, dislocations, tumors, bone spurs, or disc disease. In an emergency, the doctor can see the initial results of a spinal X-ray in a few minutes. Otherwise, a radiologist usually has the official X-ray report ready the next day.
| Normal: | The bones of the spine (vertebrae) are normal in number, size, shape, appearance, and how they are lined up. |
|---|---|
No broken bones, dislocations, or foreign objects are present. The soft tissues around the vertebrae look normal. | |
The spine is not abnormally curved. | |
| Abnormal: | Broken bones, dislocations, or foreign objects may be present. |
The spine is abnormally curved, such as from scoliosis. | |
Diseases that affect the spine, such as thin bones (osteoporosis) or arthritis, may be present. One or more bones in the spine may be abnormal because of a condition such as cancer, infection, trauma, or that was present from birth (congenital). | |
Disc disease, which is fairly common, can sometimes be seen on a spinal X-ray as a narrowed space between the bones of the spine. Bone spurs can also be seen. |
| Last updated: | April 24, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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