Request an appointment today to speak with a member of our team. The imaging specialists at AHI are committed to helping you uncover the answers behind your symptoms or condition. Additionally, if you’re worried about claustrophobia, you may want to talk with your doctor about taking an anti-anxiety medication before the procedure. When reading any radiograph the clinician should establish a process or order they follow each time. The process is not painful at all, but it can be boring for many people so you may want to request to listen to some music or a podcast. That helps focus the magnetic waves to create the images.ĭuring the cervical spine MRI, you have to stay completely still. Then, the imaging technician places a coil-shaped frame over your head and neck area. It’s not required in every situation, but if your doctor requests it, you may have to fast before your appointment.Īt the imaging center, you lie down in the MRI machine. This is a special dye that helps the images to show up more clearly. What Happens During a Cervical Spine MRI?īefore the cervical spine MRI, you may have to drink some contrast liquid or it may be administered through an IV. At American Health Imaging, we offer extended evening hours and Saturday appointments so your medical care can fit into your schedule with no need for you to take off work. How Long Is a Cervical Spine MRI?Ī cervical spine MRI can last up to an hour. Try our cost calculator to see how much you can save. If you need a cervical spine MRI, AHI can provide it at a fraction of the cost of most hospitals. Abnormal curvature of the cervical spineĭepending on your pain issues, especially if spinal abnormalities are suspected, your doctor may also order a lumbar MRI for your lower back.Typically, doctors recommend cervical spine MRIs when they suspect that you have a certain problem or to diagnose unexplained pain from an accident or injury. There are many issues a cervical spine MRI can help to diagnose. In particular, an MRI shows a cross-section of your tissue, and each cross section is so thin that a single MRI actually creates hundreds of images of your neck. Whereas an X-ray just shows your spine or neck bones, an MRI shows your soft tissues. This is called a flexion-extension x-ray. But what does an MRI of the cervical spine show, and how can the results help you reduce or eliminate your pain? What Is a Cervical Spine MRI?Ī cervical spine MRI is different from an X-ray, although both are imaging techniques. In order to replicate the conditions under which there is too much movement in the spine vertebrae, an x-ray can be taken when the patient moves. If you’re experiencing neck pain, your doctor may recommend a cervical spine MRI scan. transverse foramina protecting the vertebral arteries and veinsĪ more detailed description can be found in the article on typical cervical vertebrae.What Does an MRI of the Cervical Spine Show?.relatively long, bifid (except for C7) inferiorly pointing spinous processes.relatively wide vertebral arch with large vertebral foramen.Gross anatomyĪlthough C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) have unique characteristics and C7 (also termed vertebra prominens) deviates from the overall pattern, general characteristics of the cervical vertebrae include: It also provides a pathway for the vertebral arteries and veins to carry blood to and from the brain via the transverse foramina.įor a basic description of the anatomy of a generic vertebra, see vertebrae. Its main function is to support the skull and maintain the relative positions of the brain and spinal cord. The cervical spine (often shortened to C-spine) is the upper part of the spine extending from the skull base to the thorax at the level of the first vertebra with a rib attached to it.
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