Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Spine

An MRI of the spine is done to:

• Find problems of the spinal discs, such as a ruptured disc. The test may also show if a disc is pressing on a nerve, causing symptoms such as sciatica.
• Find areas of the spine where the canal is abnormally narrowed (spinal stenosis) and may need surgery.
• Find tumors affecting the bones or nerves of the spine. The tumors that most commonly spread to the spine include those from prostate, breast, or lung cancer.
• Check areas of joint inflammation (arthritis) or bone loss found during an X-ray test or a bone scan.
• Find areas of the spine that do not have good blood supply.
• Find an infection.
• Find nerve damage caused by injury or disease, such as multiple sclerosis.
• Check problems of the spine that have been present since birth (congenital).

An MRI may be done using contrast material to see abnormal tissue more clearly. The contrast material also may help tell the difference between old surgical scars and a new disease or injury.