Neck Soft Tissue MRI

MRI of the neck soft tissues evaluating the thyroid, lymph nodes, salivary glands, pharyngeal and laryngeal structures. Useful for mass characterization and staging.

The neck soft tissue MRI provides comprehensive evaluation of the cervical soft tissue compartments — from the skull base to the thoracic inlet — using sequences optimized for soft-tissue contrast. The examination covers the parotid and submandibular glands, thyroid gland, cervical lymph node chains (levels I through VI), pharyngeal mucosal space, parapharyngeal fat planes, carotid space, and retropharyngeal region. The protocol includes axial and coronal T1 and T2-weighted sequences with fat suppression. The radiologist evaluates for masses, lymphadenopathy, salivary gland pathology, thyroid nodules or goitre, and structural abnormalities of the upper aerodigestive tract. Without contrast, the examination relies on native tissue signal characteristics for lesion characterization. Common indications include palpable neck masses, cervical lymphadenopathy of unknown origin, salivary gland swelling, and evaluation of thyroid pathology complementary to ultrasound. The barrier-free facility and multilingual consultations make this accessible for international patients seeking advanced neck imaging.