Spine MRI (Cervical, Thoracic or Lumbar)

A spine MRI at MR Centrum Titanium examines the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine in high soft-tissue detail, visualising intervertebral discs, nerve roots, the spinal cord and surrounding structures without radiation. It is the standard investigation for persistent back or neck pain, sciatica, suspected disc herniation, spinal canal narrowing and nerve-root compression. Scans take 15–40 minutes per examination and are reported by a musculoskeletal- and neuroradiology-subspecialised team including several Ph.D.-level radiologists. The centre's MRI-only focus keeps waiting times short, and booking is arranged by phone daily 8:00–16:00 with each segment scheduled as its own examination.

MRI is the gold-standard imaging method for the spine because it shows what X-rays and CT largely cannot: the water-rich intervertebral discs, the spinal cord itself, the exiting nerve roots, ligaments and paraspinal soft tissues — all without ionising radiation. **When a spine MRI is indicated:** Persistent neck or back pain that has not improved with conservative treatment; pain radiating into an arm or leg (suggesting nerve-root compression from a herniated disc); numbness, tingling or weakness in the limbs; suspected spinal canal stenosis; post-trauma assessment of soft-tissue injury; and monitoring of known degenerative or inflammatory spinal conditions. Each region — cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower back) — is scanned as a separate examination, so tell the booking line which segment(s) your referral covers. **The centre:** MR Centrum Titanium is a newly opened private MRI-dedicated centre in the Titanium complex in central Brno (tram stop Soukenická). Spine studies benefit from the centre's musculoskeletal reporting depth: MUDr. Petr Nádeníček, Ph.D., MUDr. Alena Štouračová, Ph.D., MUDr. Radim Gerstberger, MUDr. Danuše Chlumská and MUDr. Jana Šmídová all list musculoskeletal imaging among their subspecialties, under the professional guarantee of doc. MUDr. Andrea Šprláková-Puková, Ph.D. **The examination:** Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment with your insurance card and referral. After the consent form and safety questionnaire (Czech or English), you change into metal-free clothing — soft cotton with no zips or fasteners is ideal — and remove jewellery, watches, hearing aids and other metal items. You lie on your back on the scanner table; the examination of one segment takes 15–40 minutes, during which lying still is essential for sharp images. You wear hearing protection and hold a signalling balloon, with the radiology technician watching you throughout. Contrast is occasionally indicated (e.g. post-operative spine, suspected inflammation or tumour) and can be administered intravenously with monitoring. **Practical notes:** Eating and drinking beforehand is fine unless advised otherwise. Implants are generally acceptable 6 weeks after surgery or with documented MR compatibility. Claustrophobic patients can request an anxiolytic prescription from their referring physician. The centre does not perform examinations under general anaesthesia. **Results:** Images are reported by the musculoskeletal/neuroradiology team and the report is provided to you or your referring physician.