Spinal cord ultrasound
A spinal cord ultrasound is a simple and easy test for newborns to detect spinal cord problems. It enables us to screen for occult dysraphism and spinal anomalies by examining the perimedullary spaces, the roots and the spinal cord.
Spinal cord ultrasound is most often indicated to:
- Look for spinal cord defects.
- Assess cases of atypical sacrococcygeal dimples.
Examination procedure
For the examination, we will ask you to:
- Remove the child’s clothing, keeping only the diaper on.
- Lie the child comfortably on the examination table, so that the radiologist can apply a warm gel to the area to be examined.
- Keep the child calm while the specialist moves the ultrasound probe over the area.
To help you plan, please note that the total length of your visit may vary between 45 and 60 minutes.
Preparing for the Examination
No preparation is required before a spinal cord ultrasound. However, we do ask you to avoid using body lotion and perfume, so as not to alter the quality of the images.
A medical prescription is required to perform this examination.
The costs of this examination are covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) when prescribed by a physician*.
If your health care professional has requested this test or you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 1 833 590-2715.