No, a CT scan is not painful. Patients may feel discomfort from the need to stay still during the procedure, but the scan itself is painless.

Yes, a CT scan can detect injuries to the bones of the cervical spine that may be compressing or damaging the spinal cord. However, for a more detailed assessment of soft tissues and the spinal cord, an MRI may be recommended.

A CT scan of the cervical spine usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on whether contrast dye is used and the complexity of the imaging.

A CT scan provides more detailed images of the cervical spine than an X-ray. It can show fine details of the bones, soft tissues, and spinal cord, allowing for the detection of fractures, tumors, and degenerative conditions that may not be visible on a standard X-ray.