Lumbar Spine CT

CT stands for computed tomography, and a CT scan is a routine medical imaging scan that takes detailed images of the bones, soft tissue, organs and blood vessels. They’re used by physicians to diagnose medical conditions, either on their own or as part of a range of tests and scans. CT scans can also be used to rule out medical conditions. 

Quick and effective, they allow medical professionals to look inside the body without having to perform invasive procedures or surgery. 

CT scans can be used on most parts of the body, and a lumbar spine CT scan is routinely used to scan the lower back. 

What is a Lumbar Spine CT Scan?

The bones of the spine are called vertebrae, and there are 33 in total, in five separate regions of the spine. The lower part of the backbone is called the lumbar spine and consists of five vertebrae, numbered L1 to L5. The lumbar spine supports the majority of the weight of the body and provides stability for the spinal canal (also called the spinal column) that protects the spinal cord. 

A lumbar CT scan is a CT scan that focuses on the lower back and helps medical professionals detect and diagnose conditions that affect the lumbar spine.

Why You Might Need a Lumbar Spine CT Scan

Signs that you may have a problem with your lumbar spine and would benefit from an examination and lower spine CT scan include:

• Sudden or long-lasting pain in the lower back

• Stiffness, weakness or numbness in the area

• Muscle spasms 

• Difficulty moving, walking, lifting, bending or twisting without pain

• Problems with posture

• Pain that radiates into the buttocks, hips and upper legs 

• Tingling in the legs and feet

You may also be referred for a lumbar spine CT scan if you have a family history of conditions or birth defects that affect the bones. 

Types of Lumbar Spine CT Scans

There are different types of spine CT scans for the lower back. Which one you have will depend on your symptoms and medical history. 

Standard CT Scan

A standard lumbar spine CT scan is carried out to assess the lower back. You’ll be lying flat on your back on a medical table that slides in and out of the CT scanner (see below for more detail on how a CT scan works). 

CT Scan With Contrast

Contrast dyes injected into a vein are sometimes administered before a standard CT scan. A CT scan with contrast dye helps to better highlight the organs and blood vessels if necessary. See below for more information on contrast dye CT scans. 

CT Myelogram

A CT myelogram also uses a contrast dye, injected into the spinal canal via a lumbar puncture. This helps to provide clearer images of the spinal cord, nerves and the surrounding soft tissue and is useful if a compressed nerve is suspected by your physician. A CT myelogram may also be offered if you have a pacemaker or other metallic implant that means you’re not suitable for an MRI scan. 

CT Scan With 3D Reconstruction

A CT scan takes images from multiple angles. These images can then be collated by computer programming to create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the entire lower back, complete with the lumbar vertebrae and the surrounding soft tissue and blood vessels. 

Weight-Bearing CT Scan

A lumbar spine CT scan taken in a standing, or weight-bearing, position helps doctors investigate problems with spine instability. It can also highlight areas of pain and inflammation when the lumbar spine is upright and supporting your body weight. 

CT-Guided Injection or Biopsy

The lower back and spine are very delicate areas. If you require pain-relieving or numbing medications to be injected into your spine, or if a needle is required to take a biopsy from a suspected tumour in the area for testing, a CT scan is used to help guide your physician to the right spot to avoid damage to the nerves or soft tissue. 

What a Lumbar Spine CT Scan Can Diagnose

Lumbar CT scans are a routine and effective way of diagnosing many conditions that affect the lower spine, including fractures, inflammation, infections, degenerative conditions and tumours affecting the bones or soft tissue. 

Spinal Stenosis

Stenosis causes a narrowing of the space within the spinal canal, meaning less room for the nerves of the spinal cord. As a result, the nerves can become compressed or pinched, causing pain, numbness and weakness in the lower back. 

Fractures

Falling over or being involved in an accident can mean fracturing, or breaking, the bones that make up the spine. Fractures to one or more vertebrae will cause sudden and often extreme pain, and a lumbar spine CT scan will help doctors understand where and to what extent the bones have been fractured. 

Tumours

Tumours are abnormal growths that can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). They can develop in the bone or soft tissue and cause pain as they grow and put pressure on the nerves in the area. 

Infections

Infections can develop after injury or surgery to the lower spine, or they can travel to the area via the blood vessels. Lower back pain accompanied by a fever and skin that feels hot to the touch could be a sign of an infection that can be picked up by a lumbar spine CT scan.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease affects the intervertebral discs that are made of cartilage and sit between each vertebrae acting as a cushion. Over time, these discs can wear away, causing pain and stiffness. 

Herniated Discs

Similarly, the intervertebral discs can tear through injury or overuse (such as through sports or regular heavy lifting), causing pain and mobility problems. 

Congenital Spine Abnormalities

Congenital spine abnormalities are conditions that affect the structure of the spine and are present at birth, causing curvatures of the spine, pain, discomfort and mobility and growth problems. Lumbar spine CT scans are used to diagnose spine abnormalities, usually in childhood. The small risks associated with CT scans in babies and young children (see below) are usually outweighed by the benefits of getting a diagnosis and treatment as early as possible. 

Osteoarthritis

A type of arthritis caused by age and wear and tear, osteoarthritis causes the cartilage that cushions the bones of the spine to wear away. This causes pain, stiffness and mobility difficulties. 

Sciatica Causes

The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back, down the legs and into the feet. If this nerve becomes irritated or compressed, it will lead to chronic pain in the lower back and buttocks. A CT scan helps determine what’s irritating the nerve.

Post-Surgical Complications

If you’ve had surgery to your spine and you or your physician feel that it may not be healing properly or that it’s been unsuccessful, they can use a lumbar CT scan to discover what might be causing the problem. They may also use spine CT scans to monitor your condition during treatment. 

How a Lumbar CT Scan Works

CT scans use x-ray and computerised technology to take images of the bones, muscles, other soft tissues, organs and blood vessels inside the body. Unlike a standard x-ray, computed tomography takes cross-sectional images as the CT scanner moves around the body. This means that the images are taken in “slices” from various angles, and these can then be collated to produce three-dimensional images. 

Equipment Used

A CT scanner is a round, doughnut-shaped machine that surrounds a medical table that slides backwards and forwards. The table slowly moves through the CT scanner as it takes cross-sectional images of the body.

Benefits

A CT scan is a routine, quick way of diagnosing problems affecting various parts of the body, including the lumbar region or lower spine. It’s painless and doesn’t cause as much anxiety as an MRI scan may, as it’s quieter and less claustrophobic. CT scans produce more detailed, three-dimensional images than a standard x-ray. 

Risks

Although side effects of CT scans are rare, there are some small risks. If a contrast dye is used, it may cause some mild side effects, or these may become more severe. See below for more information. 

Additionally, as CT scans use x-ray technology, they expose patients to low doses of radiation. For this reason, CT scans aren’t usually performed on pregnant women and children unless deemed necessary. Repeated radiation exposure may lead to a very small increased risk of developing certain cancers later in life. But for most patients, the benefits of a lumbar spine CT scan and diagnosis outweigh the risks. If you’re concerned, discuss your risks and benefits with your physician. 

How to Prepare for a Lumbar Spine CT Scan

In most cases, a lumbar CT scan requires little preparation. Sometimes, your medical team may advise you to avoid eating or drinking in the hours before your scan, or they may advise that you stop taking certain medications. Always follow their advice for the best outcome. 

The Procedure Explained: What to Expect

A CT scan is performed by a medical professional called a radiographer, who will follow a set procedure to take the scan and obtain the most useful images. 

Changing into a Gown

You’ll be given a medical gown to change into before having your CT scan. This ensures that you’re comfortable and relaxed and that you’re not wearing anything that may contain metal. 

Removing Metal Objects

Metal objects cannot be worn in a CT scanner as they interfere with the x-ray beams used and can distort the images, making any diagnosis difficult. Therefore, watches, jewellery, hair clips, belts and clothing that contains metal, such as bras and embellished tops, must be removed. Coins, bank cards and mobile phones must also be left in a separate area. 

Positioning on the CT Table

You will be asked to lay flat on your back on the table that slides in and out of the CT scanner. Your radiographer will ensure that you’re in the correct position. You’ll be asked to remain still for the duration of the scan, and at some points, you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds. 

Scanning the Lumbar Spine

Your radiographer will move to another room to control the CT scanner to avoid repeated radiation exposure. They’ll still be able to communicate with you, and you may be moved through the scanner several times to get enough images. 

Contrast Dye Injection (If Needed)

Depending on your symptoms, you may need a contrast dye CT scan. Contrast dyes are injected into a vein via an IV drip before a CT scan and usually contain barium or iodine. They’re used to provide more detail to CT scan images and to better highlight abnormalities, especially in the organs and blood vessels. 

Post-Scan Observation (If Contrast Used)

In some cases, contrast dyes can cause a temporary allergic reaction, and in very rare cases, this may become severe. Your radiographer will ask you to stay in the clinic for around half an hour to see if you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction. These include:

• Breathlessness

• Feeling flushed

• Feeling week

• Abnormal sweating 

Tell your radiographer if you develop any of these symptoms or if you begin to feel unwell. 

Changing Back into Clothes

Once your radiographer is happy, you’ll be able to change back into your clothing to get ready to leave the radiology department. 

Receiving Follow-Up Instructions

Your radiographer will let you know how long your results will take and any next steps you need to take. 

What Happens After a Lumbar Spine CT Scan?

If you’re able, you can return home and to your normal duties after having your CT scan. Patients with an injury or those already in hospital will be advised on the next steps once the results have been discussed between medical teams. 

Getting the Results

If you’ve had an emergency or urgent CT scan because you’ve had an accident, your physician may discuss your result with you the same day. It may take a few days or weeks for your team to diagnose other conditions affecting the lumbar spine, such as arthritis, bone abnormalities or cancer, as they’ll need to collate your CT scan results with others, such as those from blood tests and different scans if you’ve had them. 

Normal vs Abnormal Results

Your medical team will be able to recognise the difference between healthy bones and soft tissue and those that are affected by fractures, inflammation, degeneration or other types of disease. They can use your results to diagnose medical conditions and rule out others and then put together a treatment plan for your lower back pain. This may involve rest, physiotherapy or surgery, or a combination of all three. 

Costs

The cost of a private spine CT scan in the UK varies from around £375 to £800, depending on the clinic, location, the type of CT scan and whether you need a contrast dye. Treatment and further consultation costs will be additional and will depend on your results. 

Get a Lumbar Spine CT Scan

Having lower back pain can affect the quality of your life, prevent you from working or doing the things you enjoy and disrupt your sleep. Therefore, understanding what’s causing your pain and discomfort is important for getting the right treatment. A private lumbar spine CT scan is quick and easy to organise through our online booking system. Book yours today, and start your journey to better back health. 

FAQs

What Does a CT Scan of the Lumbar Spine Look Like?

A CT of the lumbar spine will show the bones, discs, muscles and blood vessels of the spine, and any abnormalities affecting them. CT images are typically black, white and grey and unlike x-rays, they can be collated to produce three-dimensional images that are important in diagnosing disease. 

How to Read a CT Scan of the Lumbar Spine?

Your radiologist and wider medical team are trained to read your CT scan results to discover the cause of your back pain and diagnose any medical conditions. 

How Long Does a Lumbar Spine CT Scan Take? 

A lumbar spine CT scan takes around 20 minutes, but the whole process may take up to an hour, especially if you have a contrast dye scan. 

Results

Krans, B. (2017a, July 9). Lumbar spine CT scan. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/lumbar-spine-ct-scan

Website, N. (2024f, December 11). CT scan. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ct-scan/

Professional, C. C. M. (2025c, March 19). CT (Computed Tomography) scan. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4808-ct-computed-tomography-scan

Lower back pain. (2024, August 14). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7936-lower-back-pain