MRI Spine — One Segment (MR jednoho úseku páteře)

Klinika JL performs MRI of the cervical, lumbar and sacral spine on a Philips 3 Tesla scanner, producing high-resolution images of intervertebral discs, the spinal cord, nerve roots and vertebral bodies. Each self-pay booking covers one spinal segment at 9,000 Kč. The 3 Tesla field strength improves conspicuity of disc material pressing on nerve roots and subtle cord signal changes compared with lower-field systems — important for planning surgery or epidural procedures. Thoracic spine is not available at this clinic. Results are reported digitally; the clinic is open seven days a week until 21:00 for urgent orthopaedic and neurology referrals.

MRI is the investigation of choice for almost all spinal pathology because it shows soft-tissue structures — intervertebral disc, annulus fibrosus, posterior longitudinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, spinal cord and exiting nerve roots — in detail that no other non-invasive method can match. At Klinika JL the Philips 3 Tesla scanner acquires standard sagittal and axial T1 and T2 sequences through the requested segment, with the high field strength providing signal-to-noise sufficient to resolve subtle cord signal change, small disc protrusions and foraminal narrowing that may be ambiguous at 1.5 Tesla. Each booking and each self-pay charge covers one spinal segment: cervical (C1–C7, neck), lumbar (L1–S1), or sacral. An important clinical note from the clinic's own documentation: thoracic spine is explicitly not examined at this facility ('nevyšetřujeme hrudní páteř'). Patients requiring thoracic imaging must be referred elsewhere. For most routine disc and degenerative spine studies, no contrast is needed. When contrast enhancement is ordered — for suspected infection, tumour, post-operative scar differentiation (epidural fibrosis versus recurrent disc) — gadolinium at +2,000 Kč is administered intravenously. Patients with metal implants — surgical screws, plates, pedicle screws, vertebral spacers, total disc replacements — must provide the implant manufacturer's MRI safety documentation before the appointment. Titanium alloy implants are typically MRI-conditional rather than MRI-safe; the clinic's team reviews documentation case by case. Joint replacements in the spine or hips may generate susceptibility artefact that degrades image quality near the implant, which must be discussed with the radiologist. The exam typically takes 20–40 minutes depending on the segment and whether contrast is used. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without metal zippers or fasteners over the area of interest avoids the need to change. Open at 07:00–21:00 daily, Klinika JL can accommodate evening and weekend referrals that cannot wait for the next hospital radiology slot. Images are transmitted free of charge via the ePACS and Redimed digital networks.