Lumbar Spine CT scan is a type of X-ray that produces cross-sectional images of a specific part of the body. A cross-section of your lower back can be seen in the screen. The scanning machine circles the body and sends images to a computer monitor, where they are reviewed by a technician. This is one of many imaging tests which is used to investigate problems with your spine. This includes pain due to injuries, disease, or infection. A CT scan is not the same as an MRI. An MRI of the lumbar spine shows the bones, disks, and spinal cord. MRIs can also show the spaces between the vertebral bones that nerves pass through.