CT Cervical Spine
Detailed CT of the cervical spine for trauma, suspected fracture, and post-operative hardware evaluation.
Find CT Cervical Spine near you
What a ct cervical spine shows
- Cervical fractures and ligamentous injury (with reformations)
- Spondylosis with bony detail
- Hardware position after spinal fusion
- Bone tumors and metastatic disease
- Severe stenosis when MRI is contraindicated
Why your physician orders it
- Trauma with neck pain or neurologic deficit
- Suspected fracture not visible on X-ray
- Post-operative hardware evaluation
- Pre-operative planning
- MRI contraindicated (pacemaker, certain implants)
Contrast notes
Cervical spine CT for trauma and degenerative work-up is non-contrast. Contrast is reserved for suspected tumor, infection, or vascular injury.
Prep summary
Most patients don't need special prep beyond completing the MRI/CT safety screening and removing metal jewelry. Specific prep (fasting, contrast, medication timing) is confirmed at scheduling.
Read the full CT Scan prep guideWhat to expect during the exam
Plan for 15–20 minutes. You'll lie supine on the CT table while the scanner acquires images of the neck in under a minute. Reformatted images are generated automatically by the workstation.
Results and report turnaround
Every study is interpreted by a board-certified radiologist — most by fellowship-trained sub-specialists in the relevant body system. Preliminary reads are typically available within a few hours, with the signed final report sent to your ordering provider the same business day.
You can also request a copy of the report and the imaging on disk for your own records or for a second opinion.
Cost and insurance
Most major California insurance plans cover medically necessary cervical spine CT when authorized. Our team verifies your benefits before scheduling and tells you up front what — if anything — you'll owe.
We also accept cash pay, workers' compensation, and personal-injury liens. Self-pay rates are published below so there are no surprises at the front desk.
Why patients choose Precise Imaging for CT Cervical Spine
Low-Dose Protocols
Reduced radiation dose without sacrificing diagnostic image quality.
Same-Day Urgent Slots
Held capacity for urgent referrals across the network.
Sub-Specialty Reads
Board-certified body, chest, and neuro radiologists.
Every Financial Type
Insurance, cash, workers' comp, and personal injury liens accepted.
Find a ct cervical spine location
Our network covers California from San Diego to Sacramento. Use the finder above to see CT Scan locations near you, or browse the full directory.
Frequently asked questions
When is CT preferred over MRI for the cervical spine?
CT is the test of choice for acute fracture, bony detail, and post-operative hardware. MRI is preferred for disc, nerve, and spinal cord evaluation. They are complementary.
How long does it take?
Under a minute for the scan; about 15–20 minutes door-to-door.
Is the radiation dose high?
Modern dose-reduction protocols keep exposure low. We tailor each scan to the smallest dose that answers the clinical question.
Will I need contrast?
Most cervical spine CTs are non-contrast.
How soon will I get results?
The signed final report is typically delivered the same business day.
How much does it cost?
We offer transparent, discounted self-pay rates — call 800-558-2223 for a quote.