Spine MRI

What Is a Spine MRI?

A spine MRI is a non-invasive imaging procedure that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. With that, it produces detailed images of your spinal column and surrounding soft tissues. It gives your physician a clear view of structures that cannot be seen on a standard X-ray. This includes the spinal cord, intervertebral discs, and surrounding nerves.

Your spine is divided into three regions: 

• The cervical spine (neck)
• The thoracic spine (mid-back)
• The lumbar spine (lower back)

Depending on your symptoms, your physician may order imaging of one specific region or request an MRI of the entire spine in Texas to evaluate all three sections together.

At Aggieland Imaging, every spine MRI is performed on our Siemens Espree 1.5T wide-bore scanner and reviewed by a qualified radiologist.

When Is a Spine MRI Recommended?

Your physician will typically recommend a spine MRI when your symptoms point to a problem that cannot be identified through a physical exam alone.

Common reasons your physician may refer you include:

• Persistent back or neck pain that has not improved with rest or basic treatment
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness traveling down the arms or legs
• Suspected herniated disc or degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses surrounding nerves
• Spinal cord injuries or trauma
• Infections of the vertebrae or surrounding discs
• Tumors along the spinal column
• Inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis
• Pre-operative planning for spinal surgery

If your pain or neurological symptoms originate in the neck, your doctor may refer you specifically for a cervical spine MRI near me to evaluate that region in detail.

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