Why is an MRI of the spine done?
An MRI of the spine is done to:
- Find problems of the spinal discs, such as a ruptured disc. The test may also show if a disc is pressing on a nerve, causing symptoms such as sciatica.
- Find areas of the spine where the canal is abnormally narrowed (spinal stenosis) and may need surgery.
- Find tumors affecting the bones or nerves of the spine. The tumors that most commonly spread to the spine include those from prostate, breast, or lung cancer.
- Find compression fractures of the spine.
- Check areas of joint inflammation (arthritis) or bone loss found during an X-ray test or a bone scan.
- Find areas of the spine that do not have good blood supply.
- Find an infection.
- Find nerve damage caused by injury or disease, such as multiple sclerosis.
- Check problems of the spine that have been present since birth (congenital).
An MRI may be done using contrast material to see abnormal tissue more clearly. The contrast material also may help tell the difference between old surgical scars and a new disease or injury.
How is an MRI of the spine done?
- You may have contrast material (dye) put into your arm through a tube called an I.V.
- You will lie on a table that's part of the MRI scanner.
- The table will slide into the space that contains the magnet.
- Inside the scanner, you will hear a fan and feel air moving. You may hear tapping, thumping, or snapping noises. You may be given earplugs or headphones to reduce the noise.
- You will be asked to hold still during the scan. You may be asked to hold your breath for short periods.
- You may be alone in the scanning room. But a technologist will watch through a window and talk with you during the test.
How do you prepare for an MRI of the spine?
In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.
Tell your doctor if you get nervous in tight spaces. You may get a medicine to help you relax. If you think you'll get this medicine, be sure you have someone to take you home.
What do the results of an MRI of the spine mean?
The radiologist may discuss some of the results of the MRI with you right after the test. Complete results are usually ready for your doctor in 1 to 2 days.
Normal: | The bones of the spine, discs, and nerves are normal. |
|---|---|
| No tumors, inflammation, or areas of nerve damage in the spine are present. | |
| No disease or bone loss in the spine is present. | |
| No ruptured discs are present. There are no structures pressing on a nerve. | |
| No structural problems that have been present from birth (congenital problems) are found. | |
Abnormal: | Tumors, inflammation, or areas of nerve damage in the spine are present. A disease of the spinal cord, such as multiple sclerosis, is found. |
| Narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) is present. | |
| Broken bones or bone loss in the spine caused by injury or disease, such as arthritis, is found. | |
| One or more discs of the spine are bulging or ruptured or pressing on a nerve. | |
| A condition that has been present from birth (congenital condition) is found in the spine or the vertebrae. |
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