Spine MRI

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MRI scans	Posterior spinal anatomy	Skeletal spine	Vertebra, lumbar (low back)
Vertebra, thoracic (mid back)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine is a noninvasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the spine area, including the vertebrae (spine bones), the spinal cord, and the spaces between the vertebrae through which the nerves travel.

See also: MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging - spine; Nuclear magnetic resonance - spine; MRI of the spine; NMR - spine

You will be asked to lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-like tube. The health care provider may inject a dye through one of your veins. This helps certain diseases and organs show up better on the images.

Unlike and computed tomographic (CT) scans, MRI does not use radiation. Instead, it uses powerful magnets and radiowaves. The magnetic field produced by an MRI forces certain atoms in your body to line up in a certain way. It's similar to how the needle on a compass moves when you hold it near a magnet.

The radio waves are sent toward these atoms and bounce back, and a computer records the signal. Different types of tissues send back different signals. For example, healthy tissue sends back a slightly different signal than cancerous tissue.

A technologist will operate the machine from a room next door and watch you during the entire study.

Several sets of images are usually needed. Each one takes about 2-15 minutes. A complete scan may take up to 1 hour. Newer scanners may complete the process in less time.

The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can interfere with certain implants, particularly cardiac pacemakers. People with cardiac pacemakers can not have an MRI and should not enter the MRI area.

If you have any of the following metallic objects in your body, you should not get an MRI:

• Brain aneurysm clips
• Certain artificial heart valves
• Inner ear (cochlear) implants
• Older vascular stents
• Recently placed artificial joints

You will be asked to sign a consent form that says you do not have any of these items in your body.