In diagnosing degenerative disc disease, are x-rays needed prior to getting an MRI if a non-contrasted CT-scan impression has already indicated multilevel degenerative disease throughout the cervical spine and suggested correlation with an MRI might be useful? I m not opposed to getting necessary x-rays (if fact, I m thankful for the technology), but I m not sure why they might be ordered prior to an MRI given the detailed (3-page) CT-scan.
Hello, It looks that after finding degenerative disc disease your doctor wanted to know that if any disease is putting pressure on your spinal cord or not. The CT is not able to show the soft tissue details, in such cases MRI is able to show all details. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.