X-rays of the lumbar spine in straight and lateral views help evaluate conditions or injuries in the lumbar spine from various angles.
Indications:
§ Lower back pain: unexplained pain.
§ Spinal degeneration: check the extent of degeneration.
§ Lumbar vertebral fractures: determine the location and extent of the vertebral fractures.
§ Disc herniation: assessing the condition of disc herniation.
§ Spondylolisthesis: determines the slippage of vertebrae and its degree.
Contraindications:
§ Pregnant women: especially in the first trimester.
§ Children: limited unless necessary.
§ People who cannot maintain posture: due to pain or limited mobility.
Procedure:
1. Preparation before scanning: the patient removes jewelry and metal objects from their body.
2. Performing the scan:
§ Straight position: the patient stands or lies on their back on the table, keeping their back straight, and the X-ray beam is directed straight at the lumbar spine.
§ Lateral position: the patient lies on their side on the table, slightly bending their knees, maintaining the position to allow the X-ray beam to be directed at the lumbar spine from the side.
3. Result evaluation: the X-ray images must be clear, not obscured by surrounding structures, clearly showing the lumbar vertebrae and adjacent joint spaces.
Benefits:
§ Detailed images: helps accurately detect injuries or abnormalities in the lumbar spine.
§ Diagnostic support: provides detailed images from various angles, helping doctors make appropriate treatment decisions.