MRI spine is a tomographic examination procedure that visualizes the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral parts of the spinal column. The results are informative in the study of soft tissue structures, used in the diagnosis of osteochondrosis, spondylosis, injuries, spinal column tumors, congenital and acquired deformities. MRI spine is performed natively and with the introduction of contrast.
Preparation
MRI spine does not require special training. Immediately before the scanning procedure, it is necessary to remove electronic and metal accessories, clothing with metal fittings. When prescribing a study by a doctor, it is necessary to inform about the presence of metal-containing structures inside the body (pacemaker, pin, implant), as well as about claustrophobia, pregnancy, medication.
What shows
MRI spine can be an overview, with a study of the structure of the entire spinal column, or a sighting, aimed at visualizing one or two departments. The spinal cord, spinal canal, subarachnoid space, spinal membranes, cerebrospinal fluid, spinal ganglia and nerves, intervertebral discs, vertebrae, intervertebral joints, veins and arteries, muscles are displayed. MRI with contrast allows you to more clearly visualize the structure and boundaries of neoplasms, determine their nature and size. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals the following spinal pathologies:
- Neoplasia. Tumors of the spine and spinal cord can be benign (meningiomas, hemangiomas, osteoblastomas) and malignant (anaplastic ependymomas, glioblastomas, osteosarcomas). MRI signs suggest the type of neoplasm. Tomograms show clear or uneven borders, heterogeneous or uniform accumulation of contrast, thickening or compression of the spinal cord, filling of the spinal canal. There may be intra-tumor components – petrifications, hemorrhages, cysts.
- Osteochondrosis. In patients with osteochondrosis, there is a change in the height of the intervertebral disc, horizontal osteophytic growths on the vertebral bodies. Sometimes protrusions (bulging of the disc into the spinal canal), hernias (displacement of the discs into the spongy substance of the vertebra with rupture of the fibrous ring) are detected.
- Spondylosis. With the development of spondylosis, deformed vertebral bodies with bone growths (osteophytes) directed vertically are visible. The height of the intervertebral discs remains normal.
- Syringomyelia. The most accurate pathological changes of the spine in syringomyelia are displayed on tomograms in the sagittal projection. The key MRI feature is cavities of various lengths and shapes in the spinal cord. The structure of the cavities is often heterogeneous, due to the gliotic transformation of tissues.
- Developmental anomalies. Congenital defects in the structure of the spinal cord include amyelia, in which the brain tissue is completely absent, but the dura mater, ganglia, is preserved. With cardiomyelia, doubling of the entire spinal cord or some parts is determined, with hydromyelia – a significant increase in the volume of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal canal, with spinal dysraphy – split vertebral arches, hernias, cysts, lipomas.
Advantages
Unlike CT and radiography of the spine, MRI provides a better image of soft tissue structures, does not provide for radiation exposure. The disadvantages of MRI are poor visualization of bone tissue and the inability to diagnose people with overweight, claustrophobia, metal structures in the body. Compared to MRI, radiography is a cheaper method of imaging the spine, but in soft tissue pathologies its informative value is limited.
