A targeted scan of the mid-portion of your spine is referred to as T-spine (thoracic spine). The scan is performed to look at the vertebrae, intervertebral discs and the spinal canal to detect various conditions;
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Tumours of the spinal column
- Disc bulge or hernia
- Fractures (Compression fractures, Burst fractures, Flexion-distraction fractures (seat-belt injuries), Fracture-dislocation)
- Scar tissue after previous surgeries
- Other abnormalities
Pain from other pathologies can sometimes be deceiving and indicate false-positive justification for imaging of the thoracic spine when in reality the referred pain has a cardiac or upper abdominal cause.
Contrast (dye)
Some symptoms and illnesses can be hard to detect even on a MRI scan and require injection of dye (contrast) before or during the scan.
It is particularly helpful in the following conditions:
- Tumours
- Inflammation
- Blood vessels
- Distinguishing between scar tissue and normal organ tissue
The injection is considered very safe for most and you will complete a safety questionnaire detailing your medical history before. The contrast agent (dye) is Gadolinium based and most of it is removed by your kidneys within the next day.
Read more about Gadolinium contrast dye