Spinal Imaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (MRI, CT), By Application (Spinal Infection, Spinal Cord & Nerve Compressions), By End Use, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global spinal imaging market size was valued at USD 1.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2020 to 2027. The rising global burden of spinal disorders, improving patient’s accessibility to medical imaging services, and the growing procedural volume of spinal surgeries is anticipated to drive the product demand over the forecast period. According to the WHO, lower back pain is the second leading reason for medical consultation, only outnumbered by upper respiratory infections. Moreover, it is estimated that 80% of the world’s population is subjected to back pain at least once in their lifetime. Thus, rising number of the target population is expected to boost the growth of the market.

Sedentary lifestyle, rising geriatric population, and increasing prevalence of obesity, anxiety, and depression are also projected to boost the demand for spinal imaging tools. The intervertebral discs deteriorate over time, increasing susceptibility towards developing spinal disorders. Moreover, these spinal discs are complex structures and lack visibility through conventional imaging modalities, due to which the procedural volume of spinal CT & MRI has increased.

The recent advancements in hardware and software technology and the utilization of machine learning concepts in spinal imaging are anticipated to propel the market growth over the forecast period. The advent of multidetector CT with faster gantry speed has enabled better examination experience with improved image quality. For instance, Toshiba introduced a novel automatic alignment tool called “EasyTech” in its MRI units to help reduce the examination duration with its machine learning feature.

The increasing number of healthcare projects and rising need for replacement of imaging equipment in developed countries along with rapidly expanding private healthcare sector are several other key factors anticipated to play a significant role in the market growth. For instance, according to the Clinical Imaging Board, around 30% of the total MRI scanners in the United Kingdom need replacement either due to aging or technical issues.

Product Insights

MRI segment held the largest market share of over 40% in 2019 as MRI offers high soft-tissue contrast, excellent spatial resolution coupled with multiplanar imaging capabilities that helps in providing valuable prognostic and diagnostic information in spinal imaging. In addition, the advent of advanced MRI scanners with elevated magnetic strength (3.0T) and reduced signal to noise ratio (SNR) have significantly decreased the imaging time, thereby improving patient compliance and installation rate.

The patients suffering from lower back pain are usually referred for conventional imaging technologies, such as CT or X-ray by the doctors, owing to easy accessibility and affordability. These imaging technologies can delineate information about a few common spinal ailments such as spinal fractures, tumors, and spondylitis at relatively low cost. Therefore, contemplating the growing healthcare cost and high out-of-pocket expenditure in countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, the spinal CT segment is anticipated to grow at a healthy CAGR in the coming years.

The patients with an implanted pacemaker and metallic foreign bodies, such as screws, pedicles, aneurysm clips, are contraindicated for spinal MRI because the strong magnetic field may dislodge the implants. Therefore, the next reliable option in such cases is spinal CT or CT myelography, boosting its growth. The application of ultrasound technologies in spinal imaging is observed to increase with its rising demand in neonatal spinal imaging and epidural procedures.

Application Insights

Spinal cord and nerve compression segment led the market in 2019 with a share of over 89% and is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. The rising prevalence of spinal disorders, such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, cauda equina syndrome, and radiculopathy, is expected to drive the growth of the segment. MRI is the preferred imaging tool in the diagnosis of spinal nerve compression owing to its ability to produce superior soft-tissue images. Additionally, spinal cord compression is one of the main reasons leading to spinal surgery, increasing the demand for spinal imaging tools.

Other application segments, such as vertebral fracture and spinal cancer, are anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Patients reporting acute back pain with a history of cancer are immediately referred for spinal imaging. Increasing acceptance of advanced imaging tools, such as MRA and PET, in diagnosis, treatment, and management of spinal cancer will foster market growth.

The application in the diagnosis of spinal infections, such as vertebral osteomyelitis, epidural abscess, and discitis is anticipated to increase in the coming years. This is attributable to the increasing prevalence of risk factors such as intravenous drug abuse, cancer, and diabetes. According to the NCBI report, the number of intravenous drug users in the U.S. is estimated to be over 2 million. MRI is the primary imaging modality in accessing spinal infections. Whereas, the demand for spinal CT is increasing in post-operative care owing to advantages such as low cost and metallic bodies compatibility.

End-use Insights

Hospital segment held the largest market share of over 45% in 2019 and will maintain its dominance throughout the forecast years as hospitals have the largest patient pool due to the availability of advanced imaging tools. In addition, the increasing number of public-private participation (PPP) programs in developing healthcare infrastructure especially in countries such as Chile, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia will boost the growth of the segment.

Diagnostics imaging centers are also expected to grow at a significant rate over the forecast period. Low cost of CT/ MRI scans, shorter wait times, presence of diagnostics accreditation boards, and developing reimbursement framework are the factors expected to drive the segment growth over the forecast period.

Growing acceptance of ambulatory imaging to provide advanced healthcare in rural areas is expected to drive the ambulatory care centers segment at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The adoption of ambulatory care centers is prominent in Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia.

Regional Insights

North America held the largest market share of over 32% in 2019 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period due to high product demand and rising cases of spinal surgeries. In the U.S., spinal disorders are the second most common cause of disability, the third most frequent cause of surgery and the fifth most common cause of hospital admissions. Rising need for accurate & early diagnostic solutions are also fueling the demand for spinal imaging services in this region.

Europe is expected to register a significant growth rate during the forecast period. Rising procedural volume of spinal imaging, efficient reimbursement policies, and improving access to healthcare services are anticipated to contribute to the market growth in this region. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing regional market during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the factors, such as large patient base, improving healthcare facilities, and favorable government initiatives, especially in developing markets of India and China. For instance, In India, the spinal MRI is performed at a relatively low cost at the government facilities compared to the private hospitals.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Most of the companies are stressing on R&D to develop technologically advanced products to gain a competitive edge. For instance, in Jan 2019, Siemens Healthineers receives U.S. FDA approval for its MRI scanner called “MAGNETOM Lumina 3T”. The product features a unique Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based biomatrix technology that fastens the entire MRI workflow. Companies are also adopting various strategies, such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and the development of low-cost equipment, especially for developing economies. For instance, TATA Foundation in India develops high-tech portable MRI scanners that consume less electricity and produce three to four times faster scans. Some of the prominent players in the spinal imaging market include:

• GE Healthcare

• Koninklijke Philips N.V.

• Siemens Healthineers

• Canon Medical Systems Corp.

• Bruker

• Mediso Ltd.

• Shimadzu Corp.

• FUJIFILM

• Hitachi, Ltd.

• Toshiba Medical Systems, Inc.

Spinal Imaging Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global spinal imaging market report on the basis of product, application, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • X-ray

    • Myelogram

    • Discogram

    • X-ray (without contrast media)

  • CT

    • Myelogram

    • Discogram

    • X-ray (without contrast media)

  • MRI

  • Ultrasound

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Spinal Infection

  • Vertebral Fractures

  • Spinal Cancer

  • Spinal Cord & Nerve Compressions

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Hospital

  • Diagnostic Imaging Center

  • Ambulatory Care Center

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • The U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • The Netherlands

    • Switzerland

    • Russia

    • Belgium

    • Sweden

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

    • Indonesia

    • Philippines

    • Taiwan

    • Singapore

    • Malaysia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

    • Colombia

    • Chile

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait

    • Qatar