A lumbar spine MRI will provide images of the bones, discs, spinal cord, and surrounding tissues of the lower back with fine detail for doctors to use in diagnosing the cause of your condition. a wide variety of conditions. These conditions can include, herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and in severe cases tumours or infections.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the lumbar spine is a type of imaging procedure that is highly effective in visualizing the lower back, and it is non-invasive. An MRI achieves better imaging than an x-ray or CT scan, plus they can visualize soft tissue structures, in addition to bone structures. MRI uses magnets and radio waves to collect images not ionizing radiation. MRI is designed to image soft tissues, nerves, and even the smallest changes in the anatomy.

A lumbar spine MRI evaluates the following:

Vertebrae: The parts of the lumbar spine that are bony and their typical configuration. Also if there are any abnormalities. The MRI can identify fractures, lesions, or changes to a vertebral shape or position in the spine.

Intervertebral discs: The discs act like a sponge between the vertebrae. An MRI can show the height of the discs and their hydration as well as degenerative changes. An MRI is sensitive to bulges and herniations of discs, annular tears, and loss of disc signal (a sign of degeneration).

Spinal canal and neural components: The spinal canal contains the cauda equina (bundle of nerve roots) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). MRI can show the size and shape of the canal, thecal sac, and nerve roots and can show stenosis (narrowing), nerve root compression, or masses

Facet Joints and Ligaments: MRI can evaluate if the facet joints have arthritis, hypertrophy, or cysts and visualize ligaments like the ligamentum flavum, which can thicken and cause spinal stenosis.

Muscles and soft tissues: The surrounding muscles, fat, and other soft tissues are seen, and muscle atrophy, edema or masses can also be picked up.

Additional structures: If included in the FOV, MRI can reveal areas of abnormality in adjacent organs, vessels or skin.

MRI Sequences and Uses

T1-weighted: Best for fat and bone marrow, fat normally will show as hyperintense/white; CSF and discs will be hypointense/black.

T2-weighted: Best for demonstrating fluid (CSF, inflamed or hydrated tissue will also be hyperintense/white) and very useful for showing disc herniations/nerve root impingement and inflammation.

Fat saturated and contrast-enhanced sequences: Other useful sequences for detecting tumors or infections or inflammatory change as abnormal tissue may enhance with the administration of gadolinium.

Common Diagnoses Observed

A lumbar MRI can be very useful to establish many diagnoses, including but not limited to:

• Spinal stenosis: narrowing of the spinal canal or foramen with nerve compromise
• Spondylolisthesis: forward slip of one vertebra over another best seen on sagittal images.
• Tumors, infections, or inflammatory diseases: any area of abnormal increases in signal intensity or enhancement
• Congenital anomalies: lumbosacral transitional vertebrae.

Clinical Relevance

Not all abnormalities observed via MRI are symptomatic—degenerative changes are observed frequently, especially in older individuals, and may not be clinically symptomatic. MRI is therefore most effective where there is a clinical question to answer, such as inciting unexplained back ache, neurological deficits, or unexplained serious pathology.

Conclusion

MRI of the lumbar spine provides a comprehensive non-invasive evaluation of all the bones, discs, nerves and soft tissues in the lower back, helping us to accurately assess a variety of spinal conditions and guide their treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What can lumbar spine MRI diagnose?

A lumbar spine MRI will reveal any herniated disc, bulging disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, fractures, tumors, infections, inflammatory processes.

Q. What organs can be seen on lumbar MRI?

Though a lumbar MRI is focused on the lumbar spine, the MRI may incidentally capture some abdominal organs including the kidneys, liver, spleen and uterus.

Q. What are the symptoms of a lumbar spine problem?

Lumbar spine issues can present in a variety of ways, but in general, the types of presentations can be back pain, leg pain (sciatica), stiffness, muscle spasms, numbness or tingling in the legs or feet.

Q. What is the best treatment for lumbar spine? 

you can usually use some combination of conservative treatment involving physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, and be effective with these issues. 

Q. How to find the best imaging centre near me in Delhi NCR?

You can simply write the best imaging centre near me on google or directly contact carebox for consultation.

If you get an MRI of your lumbar spine and the results are abnormal or “bad”, it depends on what was seen (what the abnormality is), the degree of abnormality, and how closely it correlates with your clinical examination and clinical symptoms. It is also crucial to understand that just because an MRI shows an abnormality, it does not mean that all abnormalities shown on MRI correlate to something that is clinically important or any aggressive treatment is needed.

Understanding “Bad” MRI Findings

Common abnormal MRI findings consist of herniated discs, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis (slippage of the vertebrae), bone infections, tumors, fractures and other variations in the structure of the spine, or additional incidental findings outside the spine,some abnormality that shows up in your kidneys, blood vessels, or other organs that may or may not be related to your symptoms.

But studies show that many people, older people, have MRI changes without any symptoms. For example, advanced disc degeneration, disc bulge or even herniation are noticeable in a large percent of people without any back pain at all. This indicates that a “bad” MRI does not always mean that there is a serious problem or the need for surgery. 

Clinical Correlation

The single most important thing that you can do after you have received an abnormal MRI letter is to correlate the abnormal MRI results with your symptoms and physical examination findings. For instance, if you have leg pain, numbness, and physical findings that correspond to the nerve root that is compressed by your herniated disc evident in the MRI, then you can assume that the MRI is clinically relevant.

Further Investigation 

If you and your doctor identified something odd or unexpected in your MRI (for example a tumor or infection), then they may order further testing. Further testing could involve blood tests, biopsy or additional imaging.

Management Plan

Conservative Management: Most lumbar spine-a condition, whether it be a mild disc herniation, degenerative changes and so forth, will initially be treated non-operatively. This usually involves physiotherapy, pain medications, anti-inflammatories and lifestyle modification.

Surgical Consultation: If there is evidence on MRI of severe nerve compression (e.g. large herniated disc causing cauda equina syndrome), significant spinal instability, tumors/infections, or conservatively contraindicated, surgery may be appropriate.

Conclusion

An irregular lumbar spine MRI finding, although long and unmanageable, is not uncommon and does not always equal a serious and/or untreatable condition. Next steps will depend on factors like how closely the imaging findings align with your symptoms (if at all), the quantitatively abnormal nature, and your overall health. Most people are better suited with a clinical conservative individual approach with surgery only if severe and necessary.

Most people have significant positive benefit from using an individualized conservative approach, and surgical approach will only be utilized if it is truly warranted.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What happens if MRI is abnormal?

Having been told that an MRI is abnormal means the radiologist found something abnormal in the imaged area. An abnormal MRI may relate to abnormalities that may be representative of a medical condition or an injury. 

Q. Can MRI give wrong results?

Yes, MRI reports may be wrong. MRI interpretation is subject to human error like all imaging services and this may lead to both false positives or false negatives. 

Q. When should I worry about MRI results?

MRI findings should cause concern when they show findings suggesting serious conditions which may require medical intervention.  This might include findings suggesting tumors (especially if there are worrisome features of malignancy), large or abundant inflammation, signs of a stroke, and bleeding in the brain.

Q. How long for MRI results if serious?

MRI results usually take 1-2 weeks before they show up. However, if your case is urgent, your doctor could also expedite those results and you could get your results faster. Some medical practitioners (especially in private practice) will be able to give you results as quickly as 24-48 hours if your issue is urgent.

Yes, a lumbar spine MRI can show cancer. An MRI will note the size, location and some descriptors which assist the physicians to characterize as benign or malignant. 

Lumbar Spine MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses powerful radio waves and high magnetic fields to produce images of the body’s soft tissue, organs, muscles and functions in detail. A lumbar spine MRI is an MRI of the lower part of the spine, which includes

How MRI Detects Cancer in the Lumbar Spine?

MRI provides images of the spinal bones, spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding soft tissues with such quality that enables radiologists to identify abnormal conditions of the lumbar spine such as Malignant osseous disease (cancerous lesions in bone) Epidural disease (cancerous lesion in the area surrounding the spinal cord) Leptomeningeal disease (cancerous lesion impinging the coverings of the spinal cord) Intramedullary lesions (tumors invading the spinal cord) During the process they may also find pathological fractures due to cancer that has weakened the bone.

Diagnostic Accuracy

According to study and meta-analysis results, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) demonstrates the greatest diagnostic accuracies for diagnosing spinal metastases compared with other modalities of imaging (CT, PET/CT, bone scintigraphy, SPECT) as well. Pooled results indicate that MRI has an average sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 85% at the patient level, and is considered to be slightly better at the lesion level. Therefore, MRI is not only effective at identifying the presence of cancer lesions, but it is also effective in identifying areas of interest that are non-cancerous.

For patients with a history of cancer, MRI is especially useful for those with acute or chronic back pain; the emergence or worsening of back pain may be due to spinal metastases or a primary spinal tumor. In a large cohort of cancer patients with back pain, at least one cancer-related finding was found on 52% of their spine MRIs and malignant bone disease was the most common finding. Furthermore, in this cohort these findings were often new or progressive. Therefore, MRI is an essential part of ongoing management of patients with a personal history of cancer.

Limitations and Considerations

While MRI is an extremely sensitive, specific technique, accuracy may be influenced by factors including the cancer type, lesion size, lesion location, and patient symptoms. Blastic lesions (many prostate cancers) and lytic lesions (many breast or lung cancers) will have different appearances in MRI or other imaging modalities, for example. Symptom information can further improve the accuracy of the diagnostic evaluation when passed along to the radiologist.

MRI examination should always be intuitively performed by a qualified radiologist, preferably with the patient’s clinical history, including previous imaging, available. There will always be instances when false positives and nonspecific findings are present, especially when imaging is performed without clinical context

Conclusion

MRI of the lumbar spine is a strong imaging modality for diagnosis of spine cancer, especially with respect to metastatic disease. Its higher specificity and sensitivity make it an essential and decisive exam for evaluating the cancer patient with back pain or neurological deficits. MRI findings must be evaluated alongside the clinical information for the best assessment of the diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Is lower back cancer curable?

Although a total cure for cancer of the lower back; whether primary spinal tumors or metastatic cancer that spreads to the spine is not always possible, treatments can have a positive impact on quality of life with the possibility of remission. 

Q. Can you see cancer on lumbar spine MRI?

Absolutely, a lumbar spine MRI can identify cancer. It is a good way to diagnose primary tumors of the spine, as well as tumors that have metastasized to the spine from another area of the body.

Q. What are the signs of a tumor on the spine?

Common signs include: back pain that is worse at night, back pain that is worse with activity.

Q. Lower back cancer curable?

Lower back cancer (spinal cancer or vertebral cancer) is curable- depending on the cancer type, the cancer stage, and health of the individual. Some spinal cancers are primary (originating in the spine), and others are metastatic (originating elsewhere in the body). 

Q. Where to get the best MRI scan of the brain?

You can opt for carebox, to get  your MRI scan of brain done. 

Imaging in peripheral neuropathy Ultrasound and MRI Yes, MRI is also used to see and work up nerve damage. MRI can show the location and extent of the nerve damage, and this information can be helpful in terms of deciding what treatment to offer.

What is a nerve’s appearance? 

Nerves are similar to cables. They relay information from the brain to the rest of the body in the form of electrical signals and allow communication to occur in the form of electrical signals.

Some nerves come from your brain or spinal cord and ultimately extend throughout your body to connect with every cell, gland, muscle, organ and limb in the body, including one another. There are three categories of nerves, based on their main function

What is nerve damage?

Nerve damage can occur suddenly or slowly over days, weeks, months, and without defined limits to years as long as inflammation or the presence of existing chronic health conditions, or age-related diseases including those that contribute to nerve injury exist.

Nerve injury associated with the peripheral nervous system is called peripheral neuropathy or in some conditions peripheral nerve injury. Peripheral nerves can be damaged if nerves are injured or otherwise damaged that render the nerve incapable of demonstrating in a complete and normal way all of its structural and signaling functions.

Diseases like type-2 diabetes; degenerative diseases; infectious diseases HIV, Lyme disease, hepatitis C, shingles; autoimmunities multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome. Peripheral nerve disorders change the structure and function of the nerves involved with pain, weakness, or numbness.

Damaged or Pinched Nerves

It can also be due to repetitive use of the same muscles over an extended period of time. 

A damaged or pinched nerve will feel as if the arm or leg is experiencing numbness, tingling, or pain. If you encounter these feelings within the arms or legs, contact your doctor immediately, as this may be a symptom of a more severe medical condition such as multiple sclerosis.

An MRI scan will show the soft tissue structures of the body, including if there is destruction of the spinal nerve. It may also reveal metal fragments within the spine, causing nerve compression, and a herniated disc, which is where a portion of an intervertebral disc has broken through its outer covering.

MRIs for Evaluation of Nerve Pain

Nerve pain is one of the leading reasons that people come to see medical professionals. There are many causes of nerve pain, such as nerve injury or other health-related issues. 

If you are experiencing nerve pain and your doctor sees evidence of nerve pain, he or she may recommend an MRI to explore what the problem might be. An MRI produces an image of a patient’s internal organs using radio waves and a very strong magnetic field. An MRI is one of the safer diagnostic images available, most patients will not have a problem with having an MRI. MRIs can help doctors assess a wide range of ailments, from cancer to spinal stenosis. 

If you have nerve pain in one or more extremities, your doctor may recommend an MRI scan, or additional imaging, such as CT scans or ultrasound, to view if a tumor is the culprit for your nerve pain. MRI results can reveal if any nearby nerves have been impacted or injured due to pressure from a gland either enlarging or prematurely pinching the nerve.

Pinched and Damaged Nerves

Nerves are tiny, but they control your entire body. There are three types of nerves that never stop. Autonomic nerves control involuntary mechanisms: blood pressure, heart rate, and gut health. Motor nerves control voluntary movement and actions through communication from our muscles, brain, and spinal cord. Sensory nerves communicate sensory responses from our skin and muscles back to our brain and spinal cord so we can feel pain. All these nerves can be damaged from falls or accidents, and depending on which nerves are affected, the sensory responses will be different.

Conclusion

It provides information regarding the location and degrees of severity for numerous nerve injuries. MRI does not detect all nerve pathologies and MRI will not provide a definitive interpretation unless it is interpreted in conjunction with a clinical exam and other tests when indicated.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Would nerve damage show on an MRI?

Yes, nerve injury is usually confirmed radiologically using Magnetic Resonance Imaging especially using advanced techniques like Magnetic Resonance Neurography. 

Q. What scan is best to detect nerve damage?

While the best scan for detecting nerve damage may be subject to personal situations, MRI and nerve conduction studies are the most commonly used. 

Q. Which scan is best for nerve damage?

Imaging in peripheral neuropathy: ultrasound and MRI Of the MRI and (Electromyography) scans, those scans are mostly utilized and most effective for the assessment of nerve injury. 

Q. Which test confirms nerve damage?

The two most common neurological tests, neuron tests, and diagnostic evaluations, for diagnosis of nervous traction are electromyography and nerve conduction studies.

Q. Why is Carebox your best choice? 

When you are picking a carebox imaging centre, it’s important that you consider and remember the reasons carebox is the best choice for imaging tests:

● Convenience: Search for, and book, MRI scans in your area in just a few clicks.

● Savings: Compare all MRI scans with prices, and screen for the best deals.

● Trustworthiness & Quality: We only work with reputable diagnostic centres across Delhi.

● Expert Help: A carebox team member can help you through the Booking and scanning process.

MRI full name is magnetic resonance imaging scan. The MRI scan gets very good pictures of the structures within the brain, with powerful magnets, radio waves and a computer. It does not use any radiation. MRI is the most sensitive image test of your head compared to other imaging tests like CT or X rays.

Why Is The Test Performed?

The Benefits of MRI scan is that it can be employed for diagnosing and tracking diseases and disorders affecting the brain such as-

• Birth abnormalities
• Bleedings – Subarachnoid, subdural or epidural hemorrhage, or intracerebral bleeding
• Infection like brain abscess
• Tumours like cancerous and noncancerous ones
• Hormonal disorders like acromegaly, galactorrhoea, cushing syndrome etc.
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke

MRI head can also assist in ascertaining the cause of-

• Dementia 
• Eyesight abnormalities
• Hearing loss
• Headaches when accompanied by some other symptoms or signs
• Thinking and behaviour changes 
• Muscle weakness or numbness and tingling sensation
• Speech and language difficulties
• Brain hemorrhage 
• Brain infection or encephalitis
• Brain damage in association with epilepsy.

What to Prepare for Brain MRI?

• You could eat and drink as usual until otherwise instructed
• You could be instructed to have some blood tests before the MRI scan eg- creatinine tests
• You should tell your care provider if you have any metal device inside your body for eg.- cardiac pacemaker,
• Middle ear prosthesis
• Cochlear implant
• Vagal nerve stimulator
• Metal fragments in your head or within your eyeball
• A clip used for brain aneurysm
• Cochlear implant
• In addition you should tell your care provider if you are pregnant 
• You should inform prior if you are unable to lay down on your back for 30-60 minutes
• If you are claustrophobic (fear of narrow and closed spaces

Risks of brain MRI scan

The MRI head scan involves powerful magnetic fields that will cause heart pacemakers and other implanted devices not to function properly following the scan. They may also move or shift a piece of metal or metal device within your body from its originally implanted position.

On the aspect of the radiation effect, MRI does not involve any radiation. Up to this point, no side effects of the magnetic fields or radio waves utilized by MRI scan have ever been noted.

In some instances, contrast medium is utilized during MRI scanning, and the most widely used type of contrast (dye) is gadolinium. It is very safe. 

Mild allergy to this material occurs extremely rarely. Nevertheless, gadolinium is dangerous to individuals with kidney issues, particularly those undergoing dialysis. If you do have kidney issues, it would be better if you inform your healthcare provider prior to the test.

How Does The Brain Test Feels?

If you’re going for Brain MRI scan and thinking about what to expect or how it feel, these things mentioned below can help you to understand: 

• If you receive a contrast dye injection, you may feel prick pain
• MRI scan is a painless scan. But may get nervous or may not be able to lie down, so you may be administered medicine for anxiety control. Excessive movement will blur the pictures and lead to errors.
• Since you are going to lie on a table, you may feel cold.
• The MRI Scan Machine generally emit loud thumping and humming sounds while in operation, you will be provided with earplugs to mitigate the noise
• You are most often alone during the scanning but monitored by the technician from a window in a third room, or if you prefer to speak during the p[rocedure, there is an intercom facility.
• There is no recovery time typically, you can go back to your usual eating or drink or medicines immediately after the exam, unless directed otherwise.

Conclusion

 MRI scan of the brain is a non-invasive and painless procedure which can help detect brian abnormalities including cancer and tumours. If you’ve been detected with brain cancer in your MRI scan. We suggest you take urgent action and consult with your doctor. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is MRI of brain scan?

The MRI of brain scan is an imaging test used to detect brain abnormalities and injuries. It is a painless and non-invasive way to visualize cancer, tumours and surrounding tissues.

Q. Where to get the best MRI scan of the brain?

You can opt for carebox, to get  your MRI scan of brain done. 

Q. How to book MRI scan of the brain?

You can book an MRI scan of brain in Rohini through carebox website by searching your MRI scan or other scan or call us at the given no on the website to book.

Q. Is MRI scan safe?

Yes, MRI scan is a safe and non-invasive procedure which do no involve any invasive or surgical method to detect any abnormalities in your brain or other body parts.

Q. Why is Carebox your best choice? 

While choosing the imaging centres at carebox, it’s important to understand and remember the reasons why carebox is the best choice for imaging tests- 

● Convenience: Find and book MRI scans near you in just a few clicks.

● Affordability: Compare all MRI scans with prices and get the best deals.

● Trust & Quality: We partner with reputed diagnostic centers across Delhi.

● Expert Support: Get assistance throughout the Booking and scanning process.

Q. What are the types of brain MRI scans?

There are 2 types of brain MRI scans, such as structural and functional.

The Coccyx or tailbone is the little triangular bone at the end of the spinal column. This bone is responsible for maintaining the weight in a stable position while sitting and transferring the weight. Coccyx may become bruised or fractured sometimes making life uncomfortable and uneasy. Different remedies can alleviate the pain like medicines, infection or an ice pack.

What is Coccyx (Tailbone) Pain?

Coccyx pain (tailbone pain) refers to pain or abnormality in or around the coccyx bone. Coccydynia is the medical name for tailbone pain. Having attached muscles and bone, any abnormality to these attaching muscles or bones can cause Coccyx pain. Coccyx pain may also result from injury, accidents, infections etc. An individual who experiences Coccyx pain must visit a health provider to identify potential causes. Disregarding Coccyx’s agony makes it more painful and requires longer recovery time. Coccyx pain conditions can be managed with medication, rest or exercise and sometimes require surgery if the condition is severe.

What are the Principal Causes of Coccyx Pain?

Coccyx pain is annoying rendering a person unable to walk and stand. There are different causes for Coccyx pain and they include:

Trauma

An individual experiencing a fall, whiplash or blow injury may lead to pain in the Coccyx. Trauma may have several reasons such as strains, stress and sudden pressure on the person’s tailbone.

Continuous and Repetitive Strain

Sitting on hard surfaces for an extended period of time has the potential to cause the coccyx pain. The other causes may be cycling for extended periods, rowing and any physical activity that repeatedly stresses the tailbone.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Throughout the pregnancy and during the period near childbirth or from the third trimester. The body hormones make the region around and in between the sacrum and tailbone soft. This pulls on the ligaments, muscles and tendons around the tailbone. This will also cause tailbone pain (coccyx pain).

Overweight or Obese condition

An individual who is overweight adds additional pressure on the tailbone. Tailbone pain or coccyx pain results from this added pressure. Additional cautioning and support of the tailbone can aid in minimizing pressure and tailbone pain risk.

Underweight condition

Having underweight means less fat, and that means there is less support/cushioning to the tailbone. Less cushioning naturally allows for a higher chance of getting tailbone pain due to poor cushioning under the tailbone.

Poor Posture

Sitting in a bad posture for a long time and consistently can cause a condition of the tailbone. Maintaining the posture and minimizing sitting can improve the conditions of the tailbone.

Other conditions are:

• Degenerative joint
• Disc disease
• Cancer
• Anatomy of tailbone
• Age

Which Tests Are Used To Detect Coccyx Pain?

A diagnostic imaging procedure, MRI of the coccyx (tailbone) allows us to determine the source of ongoing coccyx pain, especially if other diagnostic tools (like X-ray) have not been effective. MRI can show damage to soft tissue, fractures, tumors, and other lesions not easily seen by other imaging modalities.

Conclusion

Coccyx pain is the pain or abnormality in or about the Coccyx bone. Coccydynia is the term used by doctors to refer to coccyx bone pain. Coccyx pain may result from injuries, accidents, infections, arthritis, sitting position, the body weight of an individual, during pregnancy etc. Numerous treatments are available for Coccyx pain conditions such as medications, rest, ice application, splints etc. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What is Coccyx Pain?

Coccyx pain is the pain or abnormality in or around the coccyx of the spinal cord.

Q. What are the different symptoms associated with the Coccyx abnormality?

Different symptoms associated with Coccyx abnormality are pain, swelling, itching, numbness, and not sitting and standing properly.

Q. What are the Causes of Coccyx Pain?

Some of the causes of Coccyx pain are accidents or injuries, the weight of the individual, in pregnancy, osteoarthritis, sprain of ligament etc.

Q. Which tests are employed for Coccyx Pain Diagnosis?

Different tests like CT, MRI, X-rays, and physical examination are employed for diagnosing Coccyx pain.

Q. Where to get the best MRI scan for coccyx or tailbone?

You can book your MRI scan of coccyx or tailbone from carebox platform where you’ll get an MRI at the cheapest cost with transparency and accuracy.

Sacral pain or sacroiliitis is seen when some abnormality or trauma in the area where the spine and pelvis join irritates this junction. The condition can be caused by different kinds of conditions such as arthritis, trauma, fracture etc. Therapy, medication and injection can be utilized to treat the condition at times.

What is Sacral Pain or Sacroiliitis?

Sacral pain refers to pain or dysfunction in, or surrounding, the Sacral area. The Sacral bone has connected musculature and bone in, and any abnormality to those muscles or bones could result in Sacral pain. Sacral pain can also stem from injury, accident, or infection, etc. Any individual with Sacral pain should consult a healthcare provider to explore potential sources of the pain. If Sacral pain is neglected, it will worsen, and take longer to heal. Medication, rest, and exercise may be adequate desensitization for Sacral pain disorders, though occasionally surgery may be necessary in severe situations.

Principal Causes of Sacral Pain or Sacroiliitis?

Sacral pain is annoying such that it becomes a challenge for an individual to walk and stand. There are numerous causes of Sacral pain and some of the causes are:

Trauma

An individual experiencing a fall, whiplash or blow to an injury can lead to pain in the Sacral. Trauma will have several reasons and these will include strains, stress and abrupt pressure on the vertebrae.

Arthritis

This is amongst the primary causes of sacral pain, arthritis is the inflammation within the joints and it may also affect the sacral joints. There are two forms of arthritis, which may impact the sacral bone:

Ankylosing spondylitis: This is caused by arthritis in the spinal joint, sacroiliitis is the earliest symptom of ankylosing spondylitis.

Psoriatic arthritis: this is the occurrence of arthritis and psoriasis, which causes the arthritis to be present in joints and psoriasis (scaley) skin.

Pregnancy

Sacroiliac joints may loosen or stretch during the time of pregnancy. The biomechanics of walking during pregnancy also aggravates the sacroiliac joint. This ultimately leads to the pain and stiffness in the sacral joint.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the condition of weakening of sacral bone with passage of time, which makes sacral bones week and painful. The quality and density of sacral bone worsen with time and make it more susceptible to fractures and bone disorders.

Other Causes of the Sacral Pain

• Infections.
• Spondyloarthropathy
• Enthesopathy
• Lumbar fusion
• Scoliosis etc.

Which Test Is Best To Detect Sacral Pain?

MRI studies of the spine are considered the best test to detect sacral pain. It is also known as the lumbosacral spine MRI. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure which is used to visualize the sacrum and surrounding soft tissues. If you’re searching for the best MRI scan centre for your MRI scan.

Conclusion

Sacral pain or Sacroiliitis is pain, or abnormality, in or around the Sacral area. The sacral bone contains connected muscles and bone and any abnormality to the connecting bones or muscles can lead to Sacral pain. Sacral pain can also be a result of injury, accidents, infections, etc. There are a number of treatments for Sacral pain conditions including medications, rest, ice packs, splints, etc. There are a number of tests used to get a diagnosis of Sacral pain and patients can opt for a carebox to locate the best imaging centre in Rohini, Delhi for Sacral pain testing.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What is Sacral Pain?

Sacral pain is the pain or abnormality of, or about, the Sacral region of the spinal cord.

Q. What are the different symptoms of the Sacral abnormality?

Different symptoms of Sacral pain are swelling, itching, numbness, and being unable to walk and stand normally.

Q. What is the cause of Sacral Pain?

Many different causes of Sacral pain are accidents or injuries, pregnancy, osteoarthritis, ligament sprain, Trauma etc.

Q. Which tests are used for Sacral Pain Diagnosis?

Different tests like CT, MRI, X-rays, and physical examination are utilized for diagnosing Sacral pain.

The Lumbar spine is a lower part of the backbone or spinal column. The Lumbar spine contains bones from L1 to L5 along with other spinal cords, nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments etc. The lumbar spine supports the weight of the body and assists in a variety of functions and protection of the spine. Any lumbar abnormality obstructs the mobility of the other individual and complicates easy living. A number of procedures exist in the medical sector nowadays to rectify any accompanying condition.

What is Lumbar Spine Pain?

Lumbar Spine pain is pain or abnormality around or in the lumbar spine. Lumbar Spine bone contains muscles and bones that are connected to each other, any deformity to such connective muscles or bones can cause pain in the lumbar region. Lumbar Spine pain can also result from injuries, accidents, infections etc. One with lumbar spine pain should visit a health care provider to identify potential causes. Neglecting the pain of the lumbar spine worsens and requires a longer recovery time. Lumbar spine pain conditions can be managed using drugs, exercise or rest and at times require surgery in case the condition is severe.

Principal Causes of Lumbar Spine Pain?

Lumbar Spine pain is annoying such that an individual cannot stand and walk. There are several causes of Lumbar Spine pain and these are:

Trauma

One who suffers a fall, whiplash or blow to the lumbar spine may result in lumbar pain. Trauma may have various causes such as strains, stress and acute pressure on the vertebrae.

Muscle irritation or strain

Lumbar Spine ache can be caused by improper or faulty posture over a long time. It may also be caused by sitting for an extended time and repeated movements that can strain the lumbar spine. Ongoing muscle irritation and tension may be the reason for lumbar pain in some individuals.

Herniated Discs

Lumbar pain due to a compressed or torn or leaking herniated disk. Herniated discs may cause severe back pain, tingling, numbness and weakness of the leg. 

Degenerative Disk Disease

Degeneration is the weakening of the lumbar spine by wear and tear or age. The narrowed or decreased space as a result of degeneration can compress a spinal nerve and lead to back pain. Sciatica is the most prevalent pinched nerve in such a condition.

Lumbar stenosis

Lumbar stenosis is the narrowing of the space surrounding the spinal cord. While a constricted space will lead to spinal cord or nerve irritation, pinched or compressed. Several symptoms of lumbar stenosis include agony, weakness of legs, and leaning or sitting forward.

Ligament Sprain

Ligament sprain caused by sudden stretching, twisting or compression may result in the Lumbar Spine pain.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the deterioration of lumbar disc bones with time that makes bones weak and painful with time in the lumbar spine. The quality and density of lumbar bones deteriorate with time making it susceptible to fractures and bone disorders. 

Osteoarthritis

This condition is caused by cartilage and lumbar bone degeneration that causes vertebrae discs to break down. This condition is one form of arthritis that affects the joints of the lumbar.

Conclusion

Lumbar Spine pain is the pain or abnormality in or around the lumbar spine which prevents an individual from walking and standing. Lumbar Spine pain may be caused by injury, accident, infection, arthritis etc. There are different treatments for conditions of lumbar spine pain such as medications, rest, ice packs, splints etc. There are different tests employed for the diagnosis of lumbar spine pain and patients can opt for a carebox to find the best MRI scan centre for tests for lumbar spine pain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is Lumbar Spine Pain?

Lumbar Spine pain is pain or abnormality within or around the lumbar Spine of the spinal cord.

Q. What are the different symptoms for the Lumbar Spine abnormality?

Some common symptoms of Lumbar Spine pain are swelling, itching, numbness, and being unable to walk and stand properly.

Q. What are the Causes of Lumbar Spine Pain?

Some of the causes of Lumbar Spine pain are accidents or injury, osteoarthritis, ligament sprain,  Shingles etc.

Q. Which tests are used for Lumbar Spine Pain Diagnosis?

Some of the tests that are used to diagnose Lumbar Spine pain are CT, MRI, X-rays, and physical examination.

Q. How to find an MRI scan lab for lumbar spine MRI?

You can directly search this on google or opt for carebox for your best MRI of spine.

MRI Neck Screening vs MRI head screening-

MRI neck screening provides photos of the inner structures of the neck. It can show symptoms by neck pain, length from neck lumps. MRI neck exam can depict aneurysms, tumors, infections and any other neck problems. MRI neck is also known as an MRI Cervical. When having an MRI of the neck it uses strong magnets and radio waves to take clear pictures of the neck and the area surrounding it. Unlike an MRI of the head, which uses strong magnets and radio waves to take images of the brain and areas around the nerve structures. 

Why Neck & head screening done?

Here are just a few reasons we are about to read: Why neck and head screening is valuable:

• An MRI neck screening is performed to obtain a view of the cervical spine.
• This helps the physician observe the conditions that could include- Herniated disk, tumors, infection, arthritis etc.
•  It is recommended only if you have symptoms including- Neck pain, numbness, coordination problems etc. 
• An MRI head screening assists in the evaluation of- Brain tumors, stroke, infection, brain injury, dementia etc.
• MRI head screening may assist in monitoring the progression of certain diseases and evaluate brain injuries.

How to prepare for these tests?

Here are a few things to remember before going through the process of an MRI head and neck scan-

• Take off any jewellery or nearby metal before getting an MRI, because MRI machines hold a strong magnetic wave which could be harmful to you.
• If you have metal implants, you must let your doctor know first and follow the proper procedures your doctor provided you with.
• If you are pregnant, please let your doctor know and follow the instructions, because radiation could harm the baby. 
• If you are taking any medications, please let your doctor know.
• Also do not wear lotions, creams and other makeup products before the test.

Important Considerations-

Safety:

It is a safe test, but make sure to mention metal implants, pacemakers, or other medical equipment you might have, since they can be detrimental to you.  

Claustrophobia:

Phobia of enclosed spaces.

Contrast Dye:

A contrast dye might be injected into your vein typically of arms to make some tissues more visible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MRI head and neck screenings are powerful magnetic fields and serious forms of diagnostics that show distinct images of the brain and neck spine. There is no pain and it is non-invasive; however, it is important to learn about the requirements and limitations of the study. MR head and neck screenings do represent starting points in the current spectrum of medical diagnostics care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are the MRI Head and Neck Screening Painful?

MRI Head and neck Screening are harmless tests, but certain patients feel discomfort because they may develop a phobia for closed spaces.

Q. Does MRI involve ionizing radiation?

No, MRI does not involve ionizing radiation, but it involves magnetic fields and radio waves.

Q. What is the full form of MRI?

The full form of MRI is Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Q. How to book an MRI scan at the best imaging centre?

You can book an MRI scan at the best imaging centre through the carebox, here you’ll get cost and facility transparency.

Q. Is MRI scan safe?

Yes, MRI scan is safe and it is also a non-invasive procedure.

Q. Can an MRI show brain damage? 

The brain MRI scan is able to show atrophy long after the injury.

An MRI is not able to help diagnose migraines, cluster, or tension headaches, however, it can help the doctor’s rule out any other medical conditions which may be causing your symptoms such as: A brain tumor. An infection in your brain, called an abscess. A build-up of fluid in the brain, called hydrocephalus. 

Migraine cannot be seen directly on an MRI because migraine is first and foremost due to changes in the brain that are electrical/microscopic and inflammatory. These changes are invisible on standard imaging. Migraine is diagnosed based on symptoms, medical history, and physical exam rather than through imaging 

When is an MRI needed for migraine? 

Many people with a migraine do not need an MRI, but there are times when your physician may want one based on noting “red flags” with your headache. Red flags include sudden changes in pattern of headache or certain indications that there could be a more serious problem, including:  

• Increased frequency or changes in the strength of headache 
• Headache that changes with certain movements, like standing from sitting position, or when lying flat 
• Head pain that does not stop 
• Sudden, very painful headache that comes on quickly 
• Headache that occurs with coughing, straining, lifting something heavy, bending over or during sexual activity 

What is MRI capable of showing in migraine patients?  

Some migraine patients can have white matter white patches (aka white matter hyperintensities, white matter abnormalities, etc.) on the MRI. These patches appear as white spots on specific sequences of the MRI (usually T2-weighted or inc FLAIR sequences on MRI). These spots are more commonly seen in people with migraine than in controls and are more commonly seen in migraine with aura than without aura.  

Prevalence and Propensity: Approximately 40% of people with migraine (more in migraine with aura compared to no aura) have these nonspecific white matter changes. Some studies suggest that 50% or more of individuals with migraine have these abnormalities. A meta-analysis noted that individuals with migraine, even in the absence of other vascular risk factors, likely were at an increased risk for these findings. 

Characteristics of lesions: These white matter changes tend to be small, non-specific, and not migraine-specific. They can also be seen in normal aging, as healthy people can have the same findings, and these findings are not considered specific for migraine. Little is still known about the clinically meaningful relevance of these lesions; it has not been shown that these lesions are necessary for migraine symptoms and do not contribute to cognitive decline or cognitive dysfunction.  

Findings of advanced imaging: Advanced MRI techniques and high-resolution imaging have also identified other subtle changes Changes were also observed with brain volume changes and iron deposition. Most of these additional imaging findings remain relevant primarily in the research arena and are not typically employed in routine clinical examinations. 

Why Can’t Migraine be seen on MRI?  

Migraine is a functional disorder: the pain and other symptoms represent temporary changes in brain function not lasting structural damage.  MRI is great for changes in the brain structure, but not for identifying the dynamism of the electrical or metabolic processes that lead to migraine.  

MRI’s role in clinical practice: scans are done only to rule out when other diagnoses will be expected or if a significant change in headache has occurred. Most patients do not require MRI and the routine use of MRI in all people with migraine is not recommended as it rarely informs management and is only likely to add to patient’s anxiety about incidental findings. 

Conclusion 

Migraine does not actually “appear” on MRI as a specific abnormality for diagnosis. 

While there may be white matter lesions and other insignificant changes, as discussed, these are not specific to migraine or useful for MRI may be useful for excluding other heads, but not for confirming a diagnosis of migraine. 

So, although MRI may show certain brain changes more commonly in migraine patients, MRI cannot “see” migraine. The diagnosis is clinical and is made with MRI only to exclude other conditions if appropriate. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q. Will MRI detect migraine? 

An MRI of the brain tells you about the structure of the brain, but tells you little or nothing about the function of the brain.  

Q. What is the best imaging for migraines? 

MRI scans help diagnose tumors, strokes, brain bleeding, infections, and other brain and nervous system, also known as neurological, conditions. 

Q. Can an MRI diagnose migraine? 

Migraine represents in terms of structure an abnormal functional disease, do not show 

Q. What does a migraine look like on an MRI? 

White matter hyperintensities are high brightness lesions in the brain episodically presented in various size, location, and areas of the brain. 

Q. Why is Carebox your best choice?  

As you make your decision of which imaging centres to use at carebox, it is good to know the reasons for why carebox is superior.