Chronic Neck Pain Without Neurologic/radicular Symptoms

Symptom

Chronic neck pain WITHOUT neurologic/radicular symptoms

Considerations

• First test is almost always C spine xray series. Recs are this is the ONLY test even for patients with history of remote trauma, cancer or surgery, even if degenerative findings evident on xray. And insurance approval often difficult to attain.
• If there are neurologic findings, first test is still xray, but then MRI Cspine next best test. See "Chronic neck pain with neurologic symptoms"

Recommended tests

• C spine xray series
• Usually STOP here unless neurologic symptoms
• MRI C spine without gadolinium
• CT cervical spine without IV contrast (post surgical)
• CT cervical myelogram (if MRI contraindicated)

For other considerations, call or text the radiologist.