MRI of the spine

The diagnostic method of magnetic resonance imaging is currently recognized as one of the most indicative and informative instrumental procedures. For example, MRI of the spine will help to assess its condition as a whole, or in certain areas: in the lumbar region, sacrum, neck, chest. This method is based on the effect of a magnetic field and is considered safe for human health.

What is better to choose: MRI or ultrasound of the spine?

Ultrasound examination allows diagnosing diseases not only of internal organs, as many people think, but also of the spinal column. It is worth noting that this method has its undeniable advantages:

• cheapness and accessibility of the procedure;
• no need for prolonged immobility;
• the opportunity to communicate directly with the doctor during the examination;
• absolutely harmless.

However, MRI of the spine is still considered a more informative, accurate and sensitive method. The images obtained during the examination may be useful in the future if the doctor has any questions about the condition of the patient's spine.

Some doctors recommend doing an ultrasound first, and then (if there is not enough information) an MRI.

Is MRI of the spine harmful?

Many people doubt the harmlessness of some diagnostic methods, including MRI – after all, the procedure is based on the effect of magnetic waves. How can such waves affect human health? Is it possible that the harm will not appear immediately, but after some time – for example, after months or even years?

In fact, MRI uses a magnetic flux of a fairly high frequency, which cannot provoke the development of diseases in humans. And neither during the procedure nor after it. Scientists have repeatedly conducted relevant experiments and tests - first on animals, then on people. The fact of MRI safety has been fully confirmed.

Of course, some precautions will not hurt. For example, you should not perform the procedure "just in case", "for yourself". The diagnosis should still be prescribed by a doctor, having certain grounds for this.

What does an MRI of the spine provide?

Magnetic resonance imaging involves taking a series of images from different angles and planes of the corresponding section of the spinal column. Each individual image depicts a layered picture of the tissues of the examined area of the back.

The images can be taken at various angles and tilts. Usually the doctor carefully studies the preliminary diagnosis, after which he clearly determines which area he needs to examine.

After receiving the images, the specialist begins to decipher them – describe them. Thanks to detailed images, it is possible to detect and characterize herniated discs, inflammatory elements, spinal disorders, abscesses, traumatic injuries, tumors, etc.

Indications for the procedure

An MRI procedure may be prescribed:

• for diagnosing injuries and trauma to the spinal column, as well as for assessing the dynamics of the healing process after spinal surgeries;
• to exclude primary and secondary tumor processes;
• for diagnostics and characterization of intervertebral hernias;
• to assess the dynamics of the spinal column;
• for preoperative observation;
• for intercostal neuralgia of unknown origin;
• in case of clinical symptoms indicating damage to the spinal column.

The MRI procedure of the spine is not a cheap diagnostic method, so the patient makes the final decision independently, after a preliminary medical consultation.

Is it possible to have an MRI of the spine during pregnancy?

A common diagnostic test during pregnancy is an ultrasound. Everyone knows about it, and there are few questions about it. But is it possible to perform an MRI at different stages of pregnancy?

Magnetic resonance imaging, as we have already said, is considered a safe method. This is especially important during pregnancy, because under certain circumstances a woman may need such diagnostics. Of course, if the choice is between X-ray and MRI studies, then the priority of MRI will be clear.

It is generally accepted that the period of bearing a child is not a contraindication to the procedure. However, some specialists advise to refrain from conducting the study in the first trimester, when the most important organs and systems of the future organism are being laid down.

A pregnant woman should never insist on undergoing an MRI scan on her own. A referral for the examination should be given by a doctor based on the relevant indications.

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Is MRI performed on a healthy spine?

If the doctor suspects any disorders, he may well prescribe a study with a relatively healthy spine. It is good if the doctor's fears are not confirmed. Otherwise, adequate treatment for the problem will be prescribed.

Of course, if the patient has no complaints about the condition of the spinal column, then they will not prescribe preventive tests for him.

Preparation

The MRI procedure involves the use of a significant magnetic field. This must be taken into account when determining precautions before the examination.

Immediately before the MRI of the spine, the patient removes all metal objects:

• chains, earrings, rings;
• clothes with metal buttons, zippers, and decor.

Other metal items are stored separately: keys, metal money, magnetic cards, etc.

The nature of the diet and the time of eating do not affect the results of the study. However, it is not recommended to drink a large amount of liquid before the procedure: during MRI, the patient is in a special capsule for some time, and it will not be possible to leave this capsule early to go to the toilet.

The duration of a diagnostic session is from 15-20 minutes to one hour.

Is it possible to perform an MRI of the spine with a large body weight?

Patients with a large body mass also get sick, and sometimes they need such a study as MRI. But what to do if excess weight is a contraindication to the procedure, and why?

Indeed, the MRI machine has some limitations. First of all, it is the height, volume and weight of the patient. Almost all existing tomographs are designed for examining people with a body weight of up to 200 kg. However, there are also limitations on the diameter, that is, a person with large volumes simply will not be able to comfortably fit in the capsule.

However, there is a way out: there are open-type tomographs that do not have a closed capsule and are suitable for examining obese people, among other things. However, it is necessary to clarify whether such a device is available in clinics and diagnostic centers in your region.

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Technique MRI of the spine

An MRI session of the spine does not cause discomfort to the patient being examined. The only requirement is a strictly motionless horizontal position for the entire duration of the procedure. Sometimes particularly sensitive patients are advised to take a sedative before the examination.

In addition, MRI is associated with a significant noise effect, so the patient may be offered special earplugs.

After preparation, the patient is placed on an equipped bed, which is then pushed into the capsule-tube. Magnetic plates are contoured in the capsule, along which the bed with the patient moves. During the session, the device produces the required number of images - tomograms.

At the end of the study, the person can go about their business – home or work.

How long does it take to do an MRI of the spine?

The MRI procedure itself lasts about 40 minutes, sometimes a little more or less. The MRI image of the spine with the decoding can be ready within an hour: it is given to the patient or sent to the attending physician.

MRI of the lumbosacral spine

MRI of the lumbar spine is considered more in demand for diagnosing diseases associated with degenerative and dystrophic disorders. It is usually performed in the following cases:

• for osteochondrosis;
• for protrusions and hernias;
• in case of traumatic injury;
• in case of developmental defects;
• for primary and secondary tumors of the lumbar spine.

To clarify any of the listed problems, a neurologist may prescribe an MRI of the lumbosacral region. Images are taken in several projections in the affected area, most often transversely and sagittally. The most optimal slice size is from 3 to 4 millimeters without gaps. A T² image with the smallest gap thickness is taken transversely. The slice should be at an angle relative to the location of the vertebrae.

Often, MRI of the sacral spine is performed using contrast, a special substance that is administered intravenously. MRI of the spine with contrast allows visualization of the features of blood circulation and the filling of blood vessels.

MRI of the cervicothoracic spine

MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine is considered one of the most popular procedures in the diagnosis of spinal diseases. The fact is that damage to the vertebral discs and the consequences of osteochondrosis in these areas are detected relatively often. In some cases, it is possible to determine the presence of small hernias and osteophytes that are asymptomatic.

MRI of the cervical spine most often consists of T² images, which are taken sagittally and axially with a typical slice thickness of 3 mm. This type of examination is relevant:

• for the diagnosis of osteochondrosis;
• in case of developmental defects in the cervical spine;
• for diagnostics of hernias and protrusions;
• in case of injuries and tumor processes.

MRI of the thoracic spine is often performed in combination with an examination of the neck area, since in many cases the pathologies of these areas are interconnected.

In case of severe and multiple back injuries, with multiple tumor metastases, the doctor may prescribe MRI of all parts of the spine at the same time. Such a procedure requires a lot of time and patience, as well as significant financial costs, and you need to be prepared for this.

MRI for spinal metastases

When metastases spread to the spine, MRI is the primary diagnostic method. Metastasis is detected as pathological inclusions that destroy the vertebral bodies.

Most often, tumor particles spread from such neoplasms as lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, myeloma, and breast carcinoma.

The MRI procedure will allow us to determine the location, size, number and characteristics of secondary tumors.

Contraindications to the procedure

Since the harm from MRI of the spine has not been proven, this procedure is considered safe for the body. However, a list of contraindications has been compiled, in which MRI is undesirable or inappropriate:

• in case of obvious obesity, excess body weight;
• for phobia of enclosed spaces (the method involves the patient being in a closed capsule);
• if it is impossible for the patient to remain in a horizontal position for a long time;
• if there are metal structures and electronic devices (stimulators, fragments, implants) inside the patient’s body;
• in case of obvious mental disorders in the patient;
• if the patient suffers from epilepsy or convulsive syndrome;
• during pregnancy, especially in the first half.

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Normal performance

The interpretation, or evaluation, of the images obtained during MRI is carried out immediately after the procedure.

The following results can be considered normal:

• the images do not show significant pathological tissue proliferation;
• the fabrics are light, white, or black in color, which varies depending on the density of the fabrics;
• no structural or integrity damage was found.

The following descriptions may raise suspicion:

• pronounced visual change in density;
• change in localization or destruction of parts of the vertebra.

At the bottom of the transcript, the doctor usually writes a diagnosis based on the examination. Subsequently, based on the MRI results, the attending physician will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

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Where can I get an MRI of the spine?

Finding a clinic where you can undergo an MRI examination is not difficult. As a rule, devices for this type of diagnostics are available in medical institutions of any regional center, as well as in some district diagnostic institutions.

There are quite a lot of such clinics in Kyiv, and there are even institutions where doing an MRI of the spine at night is not a problem.

We offer you several addresses where you can sign up for an MRI procedure of the spine:

• Diagnostic Center Kyiv Med, st. m. Lukyanovskaya, st. Baggovutovskaya 1, building 9;
• Ultrasound and MRI Center Med Garant, Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 8, Kondratyuk St. 8;
• Diagnostic center Mediscan Group, Syrets metro station, Rizhskaya street 1;
• Olgerd Medical Center, 119 Pobeda Ave., st. Vasilkovskaya 28, st. Vyshgorodskaya 67.

The price of an MRI of the spine varies from clinic to clinic and can be approximately:

• MRI of the cervical spine – from 550 UAH to 800 UAH;
• MRI of the thoracic spine – from 550 UAH to 800 UAH;
• MRI of the lumbosacral region – from 550 UAH to 800 UAH;
• MRI of the coccygeal region – from 550 UAH;
• MRI with contrast enhancement – from 750 UAH excluding the cost of contrast agent (for one section).

The exact cost of an MRI of the spine should be clarified directly at the diagnostic facility where the examination is performed.