MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a kind of test that helps doctors diagnose internal diseases by producing three-dimensional images of our bodily structures. This is made possible by its advance computer technology and the powerful magnets that serve as scanners. Tumors, enlargement, and degeneration inside our bodies can all be shown by MRI.
When examining the spine, the most common technique used is none other than MRI. It does not only show the spine, but it can as well nerve roots and the surrounding areas of the spine. Since MRI displays the spine and its disc quite clearly, it is often used for diagnosing disorders like herniated disc and bulging disc.
Instead of using radiation, MRI uses magnetic waves in scanning. If you’re wondering how powerful MRI is, it can produce multiple images of the spine, not coming from limited angles, but from any angle you need. It can even give you a cross sectional view of the spine, layer by layer.
Some people look at MRI as a too good device at producing the details of the spine’s anatomy. Best of all, there’s no need for injectable dyes with MRI. You’re not only excused from being prone to radiation and dyes that come in needles, you also gain a much clearer view of the soft tissues near the spine as opposed to techniques like CAT scan.
There are, however, some issues regarding the use of MRI with spine diagnoses. Some disorders, most common of which is a bulging disc, frequently show with MRI test. These occur even to volunteers who had never experienced signs of the disorder nor problems with their back.
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