MRI of spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine)

Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine involves scanning of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Continuous MRI scanning allows to assess the condition of intervertebral discs, nerve roots and spinal cord in general.

Indications for MRI of the spine

• Any pain along the spine, morning stiffness.
• Feeling of numbness of the skin in the upper and lower extremities.
• Pulling pain and spasms of the muscles of the back and limbs.
• Loss of sensitivity of the extremities.
• Pulling pain and spasms of the muscles of the back and limbs.
• Diagnostics of scoliosis of varying degrees.
• Inflammatory processes in the spinal cord of various etiologies.
• In case of suspected spinal cord neoplasms or malignant tumors in the spine.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment (removal of intervertebral hernias, neoplasms, etc.).
• If secondary vertebral damage is suspected, etc.

Advantages of MR diagnostics

• Magnetic resonance imaging of all parts of the spine is the most informative among other diagnostic methods. Thanks to a stepwise cut of 3 mm, the radiologist will be able to detect even the slightest deviations from the norm.
• Non-invasive, that is, a diagnostic method that does not require intervention in the human body.
• Absolutely harmless to health diagnostic method.

Services

Doctors

Diagnostics

The St. Paraskeva Medical Center has a powerful radiology department with innovative diagnostic equipment of the highest world level. One of them is the latest generation 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imager Toshiba Vantage ZGV Atlas (Japan).

Preparation for the examination

There is no special preparation for MRI of all parts of the spine.

Examination

The examination begins with filling in the patient's information questionnaire and preparation before the examination: removal of outerwear, jewelry or metal structures. Personal belongings can be left in a lockable booth, and valuables in a safe. The duration of the procedure is approximately 45 minutes.

Before the examination, the medical staff of the MRI room informs the patient about the peculiarities of the procedure. Directly during the examination, the patient is required to lie still.

In some cases, when the patient has claustrophobia or other fear of conducting an examination, the patient's relatives and friends may be in the MRI room directly during the scan for psychological support. We remind you that MRI is a harmless to health examination method.

At the end of the diagnosis, the patient dresses and waits for a CD with all the images obtained during the examination. The patient can receive the conclusion of the radiologist by e-mail or at the reception at the St. Paraskeva Medical Center.

Contraindications to MRI of the spine

General contraindications: pacemaker and other electronic or mechanical implants, metal structures in the body that tend to be magnetized.