![]() There are many reasons why your doctor may order an MRI. When Should You Get a Cervical Spine MRI? (Neck Pain) This is critical information that previously has not be available with static MRI imaging. It also allows pateints to flex forward or extend backwards evaluating the presence or absence of instability. Newer MRI technology now allows for patient to be upright as opposed to being flat. Unfortunately these static tests can not evaluate the instability of the spine or the forces of gravity. Movement in these type of MRI scans can compromise the quality of the images. Traditional Cervical spine MRIs are performed with the patient lying still on their back. Unfortunately all, some or none of the findings may explain a given patient’s symptoms. Hence the MRI report may mention different finding and abnormalities. Radiologists are obligated to report everything that they see. Hence the diagnosis is made in isolation. Rarely are they aware of a patient’s entire medical history and findings on physical examination. Radiologists review MRI imaging and provide a formal report often times without any consideration of the patient’s medical history, limitations and current symptoms. Shortcomings of Traditional MRI Based Diagnoses Diagnosis Made in Isolation ![]() An MRI can provide this specific information. If you are evaluating a disc herniation for example you need to know exactly where it is, whether it is right or left sided and whether it irritates or compresses the exiting nerve root. Detailed images from different views that allow better localization of a given structure.Better resolution of soft tissues such as muscle, tendons and fat than CT scan.This is not possible with x-ray which only evaluates bone. Detailed pictures of bones, cartilage, muscles, tendon and nerves.There are many advantages of being diagnosed with an MRI which include: ![]() MRI is a very powerful imaging modality that is being used with increased frequency. This creates detailed images of our bodies.Īn MRI scan uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to take detailed, 3-D pictures of your body. When they are turned off the MRI sensors are able to detect the energy released as the atoms realign with the magnetic field. The radio waves are pulsed: turned on and then off. The radio waves the MRI produce disrupt this alignment. Powerful magnets produce a strong magnetic field that forces the atoms in our body to align with that field. Our bodies contains millions of hydrogen atoms. MRI is an non-invasive technology that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed, 3-D pictures of your body (2). These different views allow physicians to accurately identify any and all abnormalities in your Cervical Spine MRI. Sagitial images start on the right side of the Cervical Spine and move to the left. I imagine a crown slicing downward creating a front and back. it is a vertical plane that divides the body into front and back. Image cutting the body in half with a top and bottom portion.Ĭoronal: This is a frontal view. It divides the body into top and bottom halves. The different views include:Īxial: This is a cross section image. The pictures are referred to as images and are numbered based upon the number of pictures taken. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.Ī Cervical MRI scan provides highly detailed pictures of your neck from different angles (1). There are important differences between a normal vs abnormal Cervical MRI which which will be discussed below. Reading your MRI report summary and researching the findings is not enough. Google is free whereas a medical education is many long years and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many of our patients spend hours researching the results of their Cervical Spine MRIs. The internet has made medical information widely available. A Deeper Look into A Normal vs Abnormal Cervical Spine MRI What is a Cervical MRI? How does an MRI work? Does MRI imaging use x-ray? What are the differenes between a normal vs abnormal Cervical Spine MRI? What are the advantages of MRI based diagnoses? What are the shortcomings of traditional MRI imaging? When should you get a Cervial Spine MRI? What does a normal Cervical Spine MRI look like? What are the most common abnormal findings? What are the consequences of misinterpreting a Cervical Spine MRI? What alternative exists? Lets dig in. Your doctor ordered a Cervical MRI and you are awaiting the results. At times there were sharp, shooting pains radiating down your arm with accompanying numbness and tingling. ![]() Simple tasks and motions were impossible. The neck pain was unrelenting and unresponsive to conservative care. ![]()
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