Other Name of MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan
An MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan is also known as:
- MRI – cervical spine
- MRI – neck
- MRI of C-spine
- Cervical spine MRI scan
Process of MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan
The MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan is a painless imaging test that employs strong magnets and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the cervical spine (the region of the spine in the neck area). Below is a step-by-step explanation of the process:
Preparation:
- You will be required to remove your clothes and put on a hospital gown or loose-fitting clothes without any metal.
- Remove all metal objects, such as jewelry, watches, or hearing aids.
- Inform the technician about any implants, pacemakers, or metal in your body.
- You may be asked to fast for a few hours if contrast dye is to be used.
Positioning:
- You will lie on a narrow table that slides into the MRI machine.
- A coil is placed around your head and neck to enhance image quality.
- Your head will go in the scanner first, and your legs can stay outside.
Scanning:
- The thumping and buzzing sounds of the MRI machine are very loud.
- You must remain as motionless as possible for good pictures.
- The scan will take about 15–30 minutes, depending on the protocol.
Completion:
- Following the scan, you can go back to normal activities except if sedation was given.
- You might be observed for a short while if contrast was injected.
Advantages of MRI Screening Scan of the Cervical Spine
There are several important advantages of an MRI cervical spine scan that make it a good diagnostic tool. One is the noninvasive process, and usually no pain involved. Unlike imaging options that involve needles or injections, an MRI scan occurs outside the body, using magnetic fields and radio waves to create images. There is typically no pain felt by the patient during the test, leading to a less stressful and more pleasant test.
Second, MRI provides clear and quality images of the complicated structures of the cervical spine, not only the bony structures and intervertebral discs, but also the small nerves and soft tissues which stabilise these structures. Clinicians are able to see very small structures with great detail because of the high resolution of MRI, allowing better diagnosis of these structures.
One of the major advantages of MRI is that it does not involve ionizing radiation. Compared to X-rays, or CT scans (which use radiation with risk for potential harm when repeated), MRI uses non-harmful magnetic fields and radio waves. This makes MRI potentially safer for repeated imaging; an MRI can have many scans done, even within a single session, when there is need clinically. The helpfulness of this repeatability becomes invaluable with tracking changes over time, or with a complete assessment of complicated medical conditions.
Additionally, MRI is a great tool for an early assessment of many spinal disorders. The sensitivity of MRI allows for physicians to find problems such as herniated discs, tumors, infections, or damage to the spinal cord to be discovered often before the emergence of any symptoms or potentially when there is a lack of symptoms or pain visible. Early identification and diagnosis can lead to interventions completed at appropriate times and may ultimately result in patients benefitting from improved clinical outcomes.
MRI scan can create a valuable initial, or baseline distinction of a patient’s cervical spine. This initial scan lays a foundation for comparison for tracking successfulness of future therapies and/or surgery treatments, as well as for the potentially progressive nature of changes of the spine in the future. Comparisons of follow-up scans to this initial MRI allows clinicians to objectively assess changes to the spine based on patient based interventions and the external and internal developments that follow.
How to prepare for MRI cervical spine screening scan?
There are a few important things to do as preparation for your MRI of your cervical spine to ensure your procedure is safe and that you get nice pictures for an accurate diagnosis. One of the first things to plan is what to wear. You are certainly encouraged to wear something comfortable during your MRI; however, it is most important to keep in mind to not wear something with metal parts, such as zippers, buttons, or metal thread. The metal parts will distort the images due to interference with the strong magnetic field of the MRI machine. It is likely that this interference will reduce the quality of the diagnostic scan. Therefore, loose clothing that does not have any metal will allow a safe and effective procedure.
You will be asked to remove all metallic objects from your person prior to entering the MRI scanner room. These will include things like jewelry (ring, necklace, earrings, bracelet), watches, hearing aids, and other items that contain metal. Even small metal objects are a danger because of the great attracttion of the MRI scanner’s magnet, and may distort the image. So it is very very important that the appropriate medical staff direct you on storing any belongings that will need to be kept outside in a safe manner.
It is also necessary to inform the MRI technologist or radiologist if you have any metallic implants within your body. They are surgical clips, plates, screws, pacemakers, artificial joints, or any other metal device. Similarly, you should disclose whether you have tattoos, particularly older tattoos since dyes used in tattoos contain metal particles. These metal items should be evaluated with caution by the medical staff to see whether they can produce any risk during the MRI scan or whether some change in the scanning parameters needs to be made in order to minimize interference. Sometimes the radiologist may decide that it is helpful to have a contrast dye injected in order to make some of your cervical spine’s tissues and structures stand out better.
When you are getting an MRI with contrast, you may be advised to fast for several hours before your appointment. When receiving your pre-scan instructions, the medical staff will tell you how long you will need to fast. Fasting will limit the possibility of nausea or vomiting which can happen on occasion when contrast dye is injected instead of a contrast medium. Also, based on your history and kidney function, the medical staff may want to check your kidney function before your MRI, if a contrast dye is going to be used. This is a blood test that will determine how well your kidneys are functioning. The contrast dye is usually metabolized and removed by your kidneys, so it is important that you have good kidneys so that the injection and excretion of the contrast media is safe.
It is normal for a patient to feel anxious or claustrophobic when undergoing an MRI scan, simply because of the close and claustrophobic space the machine is in. If you do have a history of claustrophobia or are concerned about feeling nervous in the scanner, you should ensure that you have appropriately informed the medical staff of your concerns in advance.
How to Choose the Optimal MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan Cost in Delhi?
Locating a reasonable MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan price in Delhi is very simple if you follow these helpful suggestions:
Compare Pricing Information Online: Diagnostic centers offer great deals, discounts, and packages of different tests on their websites.
Accreditation: Always opt for an NABL or NABH accredited lab for quality assurance.
Health Packages: some diagnostics centers offer health packages that let you have multiple types of tests done at a lower cost.
Ask for Additional Discounts: The best deals may be found with discounts that some centers use to promote their business. Discounts are typically available when booking a scan online by yourself, or when you purchase included scans with others.
Extra Services: Look for value added services such as free ambulances to pick you up, home sample collections and the time it takes to report results.
How to Book an MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan at Carebox?
Making a booking for your MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan at Carebox is simple and efficient. All you need to do is go to the Carebox website or install the Carebox mobile app. From either the website or mobile app, all you need to do is type “MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan” in the search bar and you will get the list of diagnostic centres that are linked to Carebox. Book your appointment at the diagnostic centre that is closest to your location. After you select your diagnostic centre, you will see the available appointment slots. Select the date and time that is best suited to you. You will then enter your personal details ( such as name, contact number, medical history, etc.). After entering your details, you will be redirected to a secure online payment gateway to make the booking – Carebox has multiple payment methods available so you don’t have to worry about this portion.
Once your payment has been successful, you will receive a confirmation message. The confirmation message will include all the vital information about your appointment, including your selected diagnostic centre’s full address, date and time of your appointment. It may also have information about preparing for the MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan so please read it all before your appointment!
What Does MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan Show or What’s the Purpose?
The MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan is an imaging diagnostic test which allows an imaging technologist to acquire high-quality cross-sectional images of the complicated structures of the cervical spine area in the neck. When obtaining images of the area in all three dimensions (axial, coronal, sagittal), the entire visual field may show not just the bony vertebrae, but also the soft intervertebral discs that absorb impact, the bundle of branching nerve roots, and the surrounding soft tissues, including muscle, ligaments, and blood vessels. The purpose of the MRI cervical spine screening scan in many situations is multi-faceted, and evidence suggests it can be an important tool for physicians in various diagnosis and treatment planning situations. In this regard, the main purpose of the scan is identifying what is causing chronic neck pain, pain, and/or stiffness, or an obvious reduction in the active range of motion of the client’s neck. Diagnosis and management of problems involving the spinal cord and nerves (intra-space) are another situation where MRI is helpful. For example, nerve compression/entrapment by spinal structure(s), acute and/or degenerative traumas to the spinal cord, and cervical radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in the neck) or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). Importantly, it allows for determining the health and integrity of the intervertebral discs, and the ability to diagnose herniated and bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, as well as spondylosis (wear and tear on the spine as you age), are all important conditions in chiropractic spinal care.
In cases of injury or trauma to your neck, an MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan will help to confirm the presence of a fracture in one of the vertebrae, a tear in the ligaments, or even injury to the spinal cord tissue itself. The imaging modality will also reveal unusual, but potentially dangerous conditions such as tumors, cysts, infection, or inflammatory disease that can also happen in the cervical spine. Finally, the specific anatomical information provided by MRI will typically be important for the planning of spinal surgery as well as monitoring of the progress and outcomes related to that surgery.
What Should I Expect During an MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan?
An MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan is a straightforward procedure designed to obtain quality pictures of your neck. For this procedure, you will lie on a table that will roll into the center hollow area of the MRI machine. This area is the part of the machine that captures the pictures of your spine (we are scanning your cervical spine). In the end of the scanning process, we want these images to have the best resolution quality for the cervical spine and so, a coil will be placed around your head and neck to help the quality of the images. During the scanning period, it will be beneficial to remain as still as you are capable of doing, otherwise any movement you make can blur the images, which can impede the accuracy of our diagnosis from your images. You will find that during the scanning, the MRI machine will be kicking and making significant loud and patterned knocking or buzzing sounds, because they can be distracting, to make you comfortable and to protect your hearing, you will wear a pair of earplugs or headphones, which will minimally absorb these sounds. Importantly, you will have a means, using an intercom, to ask the MRI technologist for help anytime during the scan, should you develop a concern or need to let us know something. If you feel anxious or claustrophobic, inform the staff—they can help you relax or offer sedation.
How Much Time Will MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan Take?
The average duration of an MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan is around 15 to 30 minutes. Course, there may be slight variations in the time required depending on the imaging protocol in order to obtain the best quality images requested by the physician and the specifications of the MRI machine. The question of administering a contrast dye for use in imaging could also affect the total time involved in the exam. If contrasted images are needed for localizing specific tissues or structures, there may be a few additional minutes added to the duration of the exam. In some more involved or complicated cases, or if the radiologist has requested additional sequences that provide adequate imaging of the cervical spine, the exam could take longer than initially anticipated. Please remember that will strive to choose an efficient way to complete the exam while considering the need for the acquisition of adequate diagnostic images.
Risk and Side Effects of MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan
Although an MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan is a relatively safe diagnostic test, it’s necessary to know of possible, albeit infrequent, risks and side effects. A major issue involves metal dangers. MRI technology’s strong magnetic field can interact with metallic implants, like certain pacemakers, surgical clips, or other metal devices in the body. Thus, it is important to fully inform your physician regarding any such implants before the scan so that your safety is guaranteed.
In a few cases, a contrast dye might be injected to make certain tissues or structures more visible. Though usually well-tolerated, there is some risk of allergic responses in some people. These may take the form of a rash, nausea, or vomiting but are rare. Another possible issue for some is claustrophobia. The confined space of the MRI machine can cause anxiety or claustrophobia. If you tend to experience this, be sure to mention it to your doctor, as there are options for sedation that can keep you comfortable during the scan. Lastly, the MRI process produces loud, repetitive sounds, which can be painful for some. But diagnostic centers usually offer earplugs or headphones to alleviate this noise and improve your comfort while undergoing the screening process.
When Can I Expect to Get the MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan Report?
- Reporting timeframe: Most diagnostic centers will provide the report 4-6 hours after the scan.
- Follow-Up: You will want to take the report to your doctor for interpretation and further management.
- Online Access: Many centers now allow you to download the report online for your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is an MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan?
An MRI Cervical Spine Screening Scan is a non-invasive imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the cervical spine (the part of the spine in your neck) and surrounding soft tissues.
Q. Why is a Cervical Spine MRI performed?
It is performed to:
- Investigate persistent neck, shoulder, or arm pain
- Evaluate symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
- Detect injuries, fractures, or ligament damage in the neck
- Diagnose conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, tumors, infections, or degenerative changes like arthritis or spondylosis.
Q. Is the MRI Cervical Spine Scan safe?
Yes, it is considered safe for most people because it does not use ionizing radiation. However, you must inform your doctor if you have any metal implants or devices, as some may not be compatible with the MRI scanner.
Q. What happens during the scan?
- You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove all metal objects.
- You will lie on a narrow table that slides into the MRI machine.
- A coil may be placed over your neck to improve image quality.
- The scan is painless but can be noisy; earplugs or headphones may be provided.
- You must remain still during the scan to avoid blurry images.
Q. How long does the scan take?
A typical cervical spine MRI takes about 15 to 30 minutes, but it can sometimes last up to an hour, especially if contrast dye is used.
Q. Do I need to prepare for the scan?
Usually, you do not need to fast or make special preparations unless contrast dye is used or you are having anesthesia. You may be asked to fill out a safety form and lock up your belongings before the scan.
Q. What is contrast dye, and do I need it?
Contrast dye (gadolinium) may be injected through a small IV to highlight certain tissues or blood vessels, making abnormalities easier to see. This is not always necessary and depends on your doctor’s recommendations.
Q. Are there any risks or side effects?
MRI scans are generally safe. The main risks are related to metal implants or allergic reactions to contrast dye (rare). There is no radiation exposure.
