Spinal Imaging Department
What is the Spinal Imaging Department?
The spinal imaging department at Rowley Hall Hospital provides rapid access to the best available diagnostics to identify the cause of your back and neck pain.
Our experienced consultant radiologists and diagnostic radiographers work together to investigate and diagnose, when possible, the cause of your back and neck pain.
Our imaging services include:
- X-ray – provides images of your bone alignment. It can confirm arthritis, broken or displaced bones or, a tumour. Dye can be injected into your spine under X-ray guidance to obtain an outline of compressed nerve roots.
- MRI – visits at least twice a week and provides detailed scans of your vertebrae, discs and nerve roots. MRI is used to diagnose: herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis and to discount spinal infections or tumours.
- CT scanner - visits once a week and generates detailed and cross section images of your spinal bones. CT scans can show herniated discs or problems with bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.
- Ultrasound – often pain relieving injections are administered using ultrasound.
How to access
Private patients can book directly for our imaging services. A GP referral is required for diagnostic imaging to ensure we have the relevant clinical information.
GPs can refer directly for MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound scanning. Appointments are normally available within three to five working days and reported back to your GP within five days.