Cervical Spine MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine (C1-C7) using 3T Siemens technology, providing detailed cross-sectional views of vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding soft tissues. The scan identifies disc herniations, foraminal stenosis, cord compression, and degenerative changes with high spatial resolution.

Cervical spine MRI at HELIMED is performed on a 3-Tesla platform that produces images with markedly better contrast resolution than 1.5T systems, particularly for the spinal cord itself — where the ability to distinguish grey and white matter columns can influence surgical planning. The standard protocol includes sagittal and axial T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences. T2-weighted images highlight cerebrospinal fluid and reveal disc-cord relationships, while STIR sequences suppress fat signal to expose bone marrow oedema and ligamentous injuries that standard T2 may understate. The scan covers the full cervical segment from the craniocervical junction through the C7-T1 transition, including the vertebral arteries within their transverse foramina. This makes it suitable not only for mechanical spine complaints but also for evaluating vertebral artery dissection or anomalous vessel course. Radiologists assess disc height, annular integrity, neural foraminal dimensions, facet joint arthropathy, and uncovertebral joint hypertrophy — each of which can contribute to radiculopathy or myelopathy. Contrast administration is available when infection, tumour, or post-operative change is suspected. The examination takes approximately 25 to 35 minutes. Reports are prepared by musculoskeletal radiologists familiar with the referral patterns of local orthopaedic and neurosurgical teams.