Cervical Spine MRI

3T MRI of the cervical spine evaluating disc herniations, spinal cord compression, degenerative changes, and nerve root impingement. No referral required.

The cervical spine MRI at UltraMR provides high-resolution imaging of the seven cervical vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal cord, and exiting nerve roots. At 3T field strength, the scanner achieves excellent contrast resolution of the spinal cord, enabling detection of subtle myelopathic changes, syrinx cavities, and early disc desiccation that may be less visible on 1.5T systems. The standard protocol includes sagittal and axial T1 and T2 sequences, with STIR for bone marrow oedema detection. This covers disc herniations and protrusions, foraminal stenosis, facet joint arthropathy, ligamentous hypertrophy, and vertebral body pathology. For patients with neck pain radiating to the arms, the radiologist specifically evaluates neural foramen narrowing at each level. This scan is commonly requested by patients with persistent neck pain, upper limb numbness or weakness, post-whiplash assessment, and pre-surgical planning for cervical disc replacement or fusion. Results arrive by email within three working days.