Spine MRI


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

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


What the risks are

There is no ionizing radiation involved in MRI, and there have been no documented significant side effects of the magnetic fields and radio waves used on the human body to date.

The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. The person operating the machine will monitor your heart rate and breathing as needed.

People have been harmed in MRI machines when they did not remove metal objects from their clothes or when metal objects were left in the room by others.


Special considerations



Review Date: 01/24/2007
Reviewed By: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.


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