MRI for cervical spine or the upper part of the neck may be required if a physician deems it necessary for proper diagnosis
. An injury with intense pain radiating all the way down to the shoulders and arms can be a cause for serious concern. This is mainly because of the region's sensitivity as it is consists of several vertebrae which are interconnected with spinal nerves.
MRI for Determining the Ailment
The scan result made available in high resolution images can help reveal beyond doubt the actual medical condition of the patient. Treatment can commence immediately after the physician has studied the test result in detail. Surgery for the cervical spine may be recommended in case the patient's condition is serious and not easily treatable by medication alone.
MRI for cervical spine can identify the following ailments:
Spinal infection
Multiple sclerosis
Severe scoliosis
Fracture or trauma to the spine
Cancer or tumor in the spine
Congenital defects of the spine
The patient who is to undergo the scan may be administered a contrast agent which is a special dye. This allows the radiologists to see certain areas more clearly and take pictures. A dress without metal fasteners should be worn. Sometimes you are provided with a gown to wear for the scan. The scan may last up to an hour, soon after which the patient can return to work or normal activities.
Open MRI for Cervical Spine
An open MRI device is a better option for taking images of the cervical spine, when compared to closed or cylindrical shaped MRI. Patients won't feel uncomfortable, nor would they feel claustrophobic when undergoing scan in this most modern diagnostic modality which is open on 3 sides. Moreover, the high tech imaging would be as good as its traditional counterpart for rendering better images of the soft tissues.
