Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine is a non-invasive examination. Thanks to magnetic resonance imaging, very good images of the spine and the surrounding spaces are obtained. Magnetic resonance imaging is also used to diagnose cancer and inflammatory processes.
Magnetic resonance imagingcannot be performed on people with metal heart valves, implanted orthopedic plates, or other metal objects placed inside the body (including metal clips on an aneurysm in the brain), as well as in people with a pacemaker. Claustrophobia is also a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging. Besides, thetestis completely non-invasive, it does not use X-rays, but the magnetic field and radio waves are harmless to the body. Sometimes an intravenous contrast agent is required for a more complete evaluation.
Young children are given sedatives before the examination.Magnetic resonance imaging of the spinecan also be performed under anesthesia, but only if the office is equipped with special equipment adapted to work in a magnetic field.
You must report to the examination on an empty stomach - you must not eat anything at least 6 hours earlier. You must not carry any metal objects with you as they may injure you or damage the camera. You are also not allowed to have a magnet, magnetic bank cards and a watch as they may degauss.
You do not need to undress for the examination. You lie down on the movable table, and then you are moved to the center of the camera - the so-called gantry. You must not move during the examination as this prevents the image from being read correctly. However, you have the opportunity to contact the people carrying out the test all the time. If you experience any discomfort (e.g. claustrophobia) or symptoms related to the administration of contrast, notify your doctor immediately.
The camera emits radio waves, which, reaching individual tissues of the spine, induce the formation of similar radio waves in them (this is what is called resonance). They are then picked up by the camera. Data in the form of images of anatomical structures are obtained on the computer screen.