Lumbar Spine (CT) PRINT

Last updated: 5/21/2021.
What changed: Added soft tissue kernel Sagittal for outpatients given increased number of order evaluating degenerative spine.

History: Trauma, stenosis, pain, post-operative, scoliosis

LUMBAR SPINE
LocalizerFrontal and Lateral
Patient InstructionsDo not breathe
Coveragemid T12 - mid sacrum
Scan typeHelical
kVp120-140
Target CTDIvol (mGy)<30
Max CTDIvol (mGy)45 (no hardware); 50 (if metal)
Max scan time (sec)30
Pitch0.8-1.5:1
DFOV14-16
SEND TO PACS
Ax, Cor, Sag: 1 mm Bone
VRT with semi-transparent bone & opaque metal in hardware
Ax, Sag: 2 mm Standard
Sag 2 mm std kernel

Contrast should not be needed in most cases to evaluate for trauma or degenerative changes. If ordered, call a radiologist to confirm.

Myelogram: ask radiologist whether they want prone or supine images.

Discogram field of view includes two vertebral levels above and below injected disc

Key Points

  • Be careful no too have too large a field of view on Sagittal and Axial planes

Coverage Examples

 
Axial

Sagittal