MRI of the cervical spine: indications and information

MRI of the cervical spine allows you to quickly identify multiple diseases of the neck and spine. This study helps to start treatment in time to alleviate the condition of the patient. The physiological feature of the cervical spine is such that it is directly related to the region of the head. Any pathology in this department instantly affects the functioning of the cerebral vessels, and diagnosis is most often difficult. The most informative and modern method of scanning the neck for the diagnosis of degenerative and dystrophic changes is nowadays the MRT of the cervical spine. There are a number of indications for conducting such a diagnosis.

When is it advisable to make an MRI of the cervical spine ?

This method is effective for examining both soft tissues and the spine itself. Therefore, the procedure is carried out with the following problems:

• Suspicion of intervertebral hernia;
• Persistent headaches, which are accompanied by dizziness, fainting, pressure fluctuations;
• Suspicion of metastasis in malignant tumors of various organs;
• Neck trauma and post-traumatic problems, accompanied by vertebral fractures and spinal cord injuries;
• torticollis;
• Consequences of tick-borne encephalitis, poliomyelitis and meningitis;
• Degenerative processes in the neck muscles;
• Chronic myelodystrophic diseases (multiple sclerosis, ALS).

With a timely correct diagnosis, especially when identifying hernias, treatment can be conservative, and surgery can be avoided.

What diseases are detected with MRI of the neck

In the neck area, many different pathologies are known, and sometimes they are combined. The study reveals such diseases as:

• Dystrophy of the vertebrae, their degeneration, bulging or hernia;
• Myasthenia gravis;
• The presence of a tumor, its metastasis;
• Necrotic lesions of the spinal cord;
• Microcystic degeneration, glial focus;
• Fractures, dislocations of intervertebral discs;
• Scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis;
• Cerebrospinal diseases;
• Myelomalacia;
• Osteophytes in vertebrae;
• Stenosis of the spine;
• Infringement of rootlets.

Informative

MRI of the cervical spine, the photo of which is done in the course of scanning, allows neurologists to receive data on diseases that were previously unavailable, and are now successfully detected and cured. In view of the fact that the spectrum of neurological pathologies is wide enough, doctors in some cases offer to undergo additional computer tomography.

Preparation for such an investigation as MRI of the cervical spine

The procedure for scanning the neck does not require any preliminary preparation. The duration of the procedure is no more than 15 minutes. Throughout the study, the patient should lie perfectly still, so that the pictures are clear. If the pain syndrome or other concomitant diseases of the patient is not allowed to withstand the necessary time without movement, it is recommended to take the measures suggested by the specialist: a sedative or an analgesic.