Standard X-ray of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrococcygeal spine, with dynamic views or a full-spine X-ray as requested
Spine X-Ray in Casablanca
A spine X-ray shows the vertebrae, from the neck to the tailbone, and their curves. It helps look for osteoarthritis, a collapsed vertebra or scoliosis, but shows little of the discs and nerves, which are better seen on MRI. Depending on the request, the image covers one level (cervical, thoracic or lumbar), the sacrum and tailbone, or the whole spine. The exam is simple, quick and painless.
Duration, report and equipment
Duration
Allow 5 to 15 minutes.
Report turnaround
Report within 24 hours. In an emergency, during opening hours, the report is handed over immediately.
Equipment
Carestream
Reading aid
The center uses Gleamer, artificial intelligence software that helps the radiologist read X-rays. Interpretation and the report are still done by the radiologist.
When is this exam needed?
- Persistent neck or back pain.
- Screening or monitoring of scoliosis.
- Fall on the back or tailbone.
- Suspected instability between two vertebrae.
- Looking for a collapsed vertebra, especially in osteoporosis.
- Checking after spine surgery, with or without hardware.
How the exam is done
On arrival, the radiographer checks the level requested and the planned position, standing or lying down. In the changing room, you keep on metal-free underwear and remove whatever covers the area: a necklace for the neck, an underwire bra for the back, a belt for the lower back.
You are usually standing, from the front and then from the side, with no jewelry or clothing over the area. For the upper neck, you open your mouth wide. Dynamic images are taken while bending your head or trunk forward and then backward. For the whole spine, the image covers the entire spine, from the neck to the pelvis. You stay still during each image, then you get dressed and leave.
Preparation
- Remove necklaces, underwire bras and belts.
- Bring your previous X-rays.
- Wear clothes that are easy to remove, without buttons or metal fasteners on the back.
Fasting
No need to fast.
Contrast injection
No needle and no contrast agent.
Contraindications and precautions
- Possible pregnancy: you must tell us, especially for the lumbar or whole spine.
- Severe pain after an accident: a CT scan may be preferable.
- Trouble urinating, loss of feeling between the legs or worsening weakness in a leg: go to the emergency department without delay.
- Screws or rods placed on the spine: tell the radiographer.
Documents to bring
- Doctor's prescription
- Previous X-rays, MRIs or CT scans of the spine
- Orthopedic consultation report for scoliosis, if you have it
- Insurance or mutual insurance fund card
Price and insurance coverage
The center accepts coverage from insurance companies and the main mutual insurance funds. You submit the coverage request to your insurer or fund yourself. For AtlantaSanad and Sanlam, the center takes care of it.
No prices are shown on this site: Kenza gives you the exact price on WhatsApp, along with the coverage procedure for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the X-ray taken standing?
When you stand, the spine carries the body's weight: its curves or a scoliosis appear as they are in everyday life.
What are dynamic images for?
Taken while bending forward and then backward, they show whether a vertebra moves abnormally compared with the one next to it.
Is an X-ray useful for all back pain?
No. Many cases of back pain go away without any exam. Your doctor decides based on how long the symptoms have lasted and the associated signs.
Does scoliosis monitoring involve a lot of radiation?
Each image delivers a limited dose, adapted to age. The doctor sets how often check-ups are done, without unnecessary images.
X-ray or MRI for sciatica?
An X-ray shows neither the herniated disc nor the compressed nerve. If imaging is needed, the doctor will rather request an MRI or a CT scan.
Why open the mouth for the upper neck?
With the mouth wide open, the teeth no longer overlap the first vertebrae of the neck, which the radiologist can then analyze properly.