Thoracic Spine (CT) PRINT

Last updated: 8/16/2021.
What changed: send soft tissue axial AND sagittal at 2 mm thick.
History: Pain, degenerative change, trauma, post-operative evaluation, infection.
THORACIC SPINE
LocalizerFrontal and Lateral
Patient InstructionsDo not breathe
CoverageC7 to L1
Scan typeHelical
kVp120-140
Target CTDIvol (mGy)<25
Max CTDIvol (mGy)35 (no hardware); 40 (if metal)
Max scan time (sec)30
Pitch0.8-1.5:1
DFOV14-16
Send to PACS
Ax, Cor, Sag: 1 mm Bone
Ax and Sag: 2 mm Standard
VRT with semi-transparent bone & opaque metal in hardware
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


Coverage Examples:




Axial: don't need much beyond canal





Sagittal: don't include more than C7 - L1