Representation of nerves | MRT of the cervical spine

Representation of nerves

As soft tissue, nerves can be depicted far better in the MRI of the cervical spine than in conventional X-rays or a CT. If the spinal canal is narrowed (spinal canal stenosis), an MRI examination can show the extent to which the spinal cord or individual nerve roots are compressed.With modern so-called magnetic resonance neurography, damage to nerves can be precisely localized and displayed. In addition, certain nerve diseases such as multiple sclerosis, which affects not only the brain but also the spinal cord, can be identified in an MRI image of the cervical spine.

A root syndrome of the nerves of the cervical spine (cervical radiculopathy), i.e. a chronic or acute irritation of one or more nerve roots, can also be depicted by an MRI image. The symptoms, consisting of sensory disturbances, pain and paralysis, are caused by herniated discs, degenerative bony changes or space-occupying tumors or inflammations (e.g. abscesses, Lyme disease, spondylodiscitis). If there is any suspicion, an MRI examination of the cervical spine can be performed to look for nerve compressions, inflammation or masses.

Ignition

Various inflammatory changes in the area of the cervical spine can be visualized with an MRT examination. For the detection of inflammatory processes, the MRI is usually performed with the administration of contrast medium. The contrast medium (e.g. gadolinium DTPA) accumulates to different degrees in inflamed and healthy tissue, so that the inflamed area appears in a different shade of grey on the image than the surrounding healthy tissue.

Thus, due to its extremely good assessability of the soft tissues, the MRI is the examination of choice for the detection of disc inflammation (spondyodiscitis). Spondylodiscitis is an inflammation of the intervertebral disc and the two vertebrae surrounding it, which can be caused by bacteria or, more rarely, rheumatism. The MRI shows signs of inflammation up to abscesses.

The symptoms are similar to those of degenerative spinal diseases and can be accompanied by fever, night sweats and weight loss. The pain occurs mainly at night, the most prominent symptom is a pronounced pressure or knocking pain over the diseased vertebrae. A strongly effective antibiotic therapy is inevitable, and depending on the course of the disease, surgical intervention with removal of the diseased disc tissue and subsequent stiffening of the vertebrae may be necessary.