Duke Spine Center offers a variety of diagnostic tests to pinpoint the exact nature of your injury and develop a treatment plan.

Diagnostic tests we offer include MRI, CT scan, CT myelogram, discogram, and EMG/NCV.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This procedure gives your doctor a detailed picture of the inside of your body. Strong magnets and radio waves work together to form a sharp image. There is no x-ray radiation, and the magnets and radio waves are harmless.
• Computed tomography scan (CT scan): This x-ray takes a set of pictures of a part of your body. It is a painless way for your doctor to see inside your body. You may need to drink a liquid or have IV contrast material injected to complete the exam. The IV contrast is needed to check the blood supply of the area being studied and is often very safe. Your doctor may check lab tests before giving IV contrast.
• CT myelogram: A myelogram is an x-ray procedure that uses a special dye to look at your spine and spinal cord. This test is performed by a radiologist. A myelogram is used to help your physician find problems with the spine, spinal cord, or surrounding structures. A bulging (herniated) disc, tumor, or spinal nerve root injury may show up as an indentation in the spinal cord and may push on the spinal nerves.
• Discogram: A discogram is an x-ray test. During this test, your doctor will put x-ray dye into the the intervertebral discs of your spine in order to determine the source of your back pain. The places where the needles were put in will likely be sore for a few days after the test and small needles will cover where the needles were inserted.
• Electromyography/Nerve conduction velocities: In this test, very small electrodes are placed into your muscle tissue to view the electrical impulses of your muscle tissue or nerves. This test is used to determine whether or not there are muscle or nerve abnormalities causing pain, weakness, or numbness. The test may help pinpoint the source of irritation of the nerves or muscles and determine the best treatment options.

Appointments and Referrals

For help navigating Duke Spine Center resources, call 888-ASK DUKE (888-275-3853).