Introduction
Nowadays, MRI is one of the most frequently used diagnostic tools in medicine, which is mainly characterized by the low incidence of side effects.
Definition
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI for short, is a method of sectional imaging diagnostics that records images of the inside of the body by generating a magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field used in medicine is usually between 1.5 and 3 Tesla. Since it can depict soft tissue as well as nerve tissue very well, it is particularly suitable in spinal column diagnostics for assessing the spinal cord running through it.
Indications
There are various indications for MRI of the spine. Due to its specificity for the soft tissues and nerve tissue, it is particularly suitable for imaging spinal ligaments, tumors, and for the diagnosis of various spinal cord diseases, such as inflammation or the frequent herniation of intervertebral discs. No indication would be the suspicion of a fracture of a vertebral body, since bones are better displayed in the so-called computer tomograph, or CT for short. Since MRI – in contrast to CT – is not exposed to radiation and no side effects of this examination have been described so far, this procedure is preferred to CT in children and pregnant women, as these patients are spared radiation exposure and the side effects that arise from it.
Contraindication
Due to the strong magnetic field effect, metallic objects in the body must be checked before an MRI examination. Patients with implanted pacemakers should consult their cardiologist beforehand. Even though most medical products implanted in the body are nowadays MRI-suitable, a suitability for MRI should always be clarified in advance. Other contraindications result from the use of the contrast medium, which is described below.
Duration
MRI examinations usually take a little longer. A detailed sectional imaging of the spine can usually take 20-30 minutes. Specific examinations and the use of contrast medium can vary the duration.
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