Risks of a CT Spine Scan

• Radiation exposure
• Not suitable for pregnant women
• Uncomfortable for the claustrophobic
• Requires patient to lie still for long periods of time
• Patients with chronic pain may require sedatives
• Does not provide sufficient information about spinal cord
• Patient may have to hold his or her breath during the scan
• Myelograms can cause spinal headaches
• More expensive than other methods of detecting osteoporosis
• Allergic reactions to contrast material