What will neck mri show

To detect specific problems, your child may be given a contrast solution through an IV. The solution is painless as it goes into the vein. It highlights certain problems of the cervical spine such as infection or inflammation so doctors can see more detail in specific areas. The technician will ask if your child is allergic to any medications or food before the contrast solution is given. The contrast solution used in MRI tests is generally safe.

However, allergic reactions can occur. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of receiving contrast solution in your child's case. You can stay in the MRI room with your child until the test begins, and in some centers you may be able to stay throughout the test.

Otherwise, you'll join the technician in an outer room or be asked to stay in a waiting room. If you're nearby you'll be able to watch through a large window and talk to your child through an intercom during breaks between the scans. This can soothe your child if he or she is awake in the MRI machine. An MRI of the cervical spine usually takes about minutes to perform.

Your child will lie on the movable scanning table while the technologist places him or her into position. A special plastic device called a coil may be placed above your child's neck. The table will slide into the tunnel and the technician will take images of the neck.

Each scan will last a few minutes. As the exam proceeds, your child will hear repetitive sounds from the machine, which are normal. Your child may be given headphones to listen to music or earplugs to block the noise, and will have access to a call button in case he or she becomes uneasy during the test. If sedated, your child will be monitored at all times and will be connected to a machine that checks the heartbeat, breathing, and oxygen level.

Once the exam is over, the technician will help your child off the table; if sedation was used, your child may be moved to a recovery area. MRIs are painless. Your child may have to lie still on the MRI table for minutes during the procedure, but there are brief breaks between each scan. If your child feels cold lying on the MRI table, a blanket can be provided. Unless sedation is used or you are told otherwise, your child can immediately return to normal routines and diet.

Most sedation wears off within hours, and any contrast material given should pass through the body in about 24 hours. Single MRI images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film.

One exam produces many images. You will wear a hospital gown or clothes without metal zippers or snaps such as sweatpants and a t-shirt. Make sure you take off your watch, jewelry and wallet.

Some types of metal can cause blurry images. You will lie on a narrow table that slides into a tunnel-shaped scanner. Some exams use a special dye contrast. Most of the time, you will get the dye through a vein in your arm or hand before the test. The dye can also be given through an injection. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly. During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30 to 60 minutes, but may take longer.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan. Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of closed spaces have claustrophobia.

You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your provider may suggest an "open" MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body. An MRI exam causes no pain. You will need to lie still. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors. The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow.

The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help block out the noise. An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. A cervical spine MRI is different from an X-ray, although both are imaging techniques. Whereas an X-ray just shows your spine or neck bones, an MRI shows your soft tissues.

In particular, an MRI shows a cross-section of your tissue, and each cross section is so thin that a single MRI actually creates hundreds of images of your neck.

There are many issues a cervical spine MRI can help to diagnose. Typically, doctors recommend cervical spine MRIs when they suspect that you have a certain problem or to diagnose unexplained pain from an accident or injury. Depending on your pain issues, especially if spinal abnormalities are suspected, your doctor may also order a lumbar MRI for your lower back. A cervical spine MRI can last up to an hour. At American Health Imaging, we offer extended evening hours and Saturday appointments so your medical care can fit into your schedule with no need for you to take off work.

Before the cervical spine MRI , you may have to drink some contrast liquid or it may be administered through an IV. This is a special dye that helps the images to show up more clearly. At the imaging center, you lie down in the MRI machine.