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Spinal Imaging Department
What is the Spinal Imaging Department?

The spinal imaging department at The Cherwell Hospital offers patients with back pain fast access to the latest diagnostic facilities staffed by a highly experienced and professional team.

Qualified consultant radiologists and diagnostic radiographers work together to investigate the cause of your back pain and provide an accurate diagnosis whenever possible.

The imaging services we provide include:

X-ray – delivers images of your bone alignment and can show if you’ve arthritis, broken/displaced bones or a tumour. We perform epidurograms, whereby dye is injected into your spine under X-ray guidance, to obtain an outline of compressed nerve roots.
MRI – we have our own on-site Siemens 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. Spinal MRI scans provide detailed pictures of your vertebrae, intervertebral discs and nerve roots. They are used to diagnose slipped discs, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis and to dismiss spinal infections or tumours.
DEXA - stands for Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. It’s the gold standard for bone density measurement and is used as an indication of your risk of osteoporosis.
Ultrasound – often used for ultrasound guided pain relieving injections.

GPs and private patients can refer directly for MRI, DEXA, X-rays and ultrasound. A GP referral is needed for diagnostic imaging to ensure we have all the relevant clinical information. We offer prompt appointments and reporting back to your GP.