“I had a neck CT done that came back normal. My neck still hurts?”
Hi, I had a neck CT done and it came back normal. I’m still having neck pain on the left side. Is it possible they missed something?
Male | 25 years old
Complaint duration: Started a week ago
5 Answers
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) without contrast is imaging modality of choice for the patients with persistent cervicalgia and cervical radiculopathy. MRI is superior to CT for evaluation of cervical cord, cervical intervertebral discs, ligaments and exiting nerve roots. Unlike CT scan that involves use of ionizing radiation MRI uses powerful magnets (1.5-3Tesla magnets) to pass radio waves to create high resolution images of the cervical spine.
If your neck pain continues - an MRI which has no radiation may be the next best choice to evaluate other soft tissue structures a CT scan cannot .
Yes, it is possible for a neck CT scan to miss certain conditions or causes of neck pain. If your neck pain persists despite the normal CT scan results, it would be best to consult with a healthcare professional. To learn more, connect with me at drjeromepuryear.com. Thank you!
probably low grade, reactive infection. nothing serious, it should go away over time.
It is possible. It is also possible ithe problem will not show on a CT. An MRI which would better show the muscles and discs might be the next step. I would discuss with your physician.
