MRI cervical spine & MRI sacroiliac joints & MRI lumbar spine Explanation

MRI of the lumbar spine: provides information about the intervertebral discs, vertebral bodies (lumbar vertebral body), facet joints, the spinal cord and the surrounding tissue. Inflammation, herniated discs or degenerative changes such as slippage of the vertebral body due to wear and tear (spondylolisthesis, e.g. Meyerding grade 1) can also be detected. With an MRI lumbar spine image explanation, you can get an idea of your symptoms yourself, which is valuable for upcoming treatment decisions and compliance with the chosen treatment.

Do I have to go all the way into the tube for a lumbar spine MRI? In most cases, a partial scan is sufficient – i.e. you only have to lie with your lower body in the tube for a lumbar spine MRI. During an MRI examination, the body region to be examined must be positioned in the middle of the MR scanner. Most modern MRI machines are approx. 140 cm wide, so that the center of the MR scanner is around 70 cm. With this knowledge, it is easy to estimate before the examination how far into the tube you will have to go and whether your head will be outside the tube or not. The diagrams below can help you to visualize this. Many modern devices are spacious, i.e. they have a larger tube diameter, which makes them particularly suitable for patients with claustrophobia.

Arrive on time for your MRI examination at the agreed appointment. You should first report to the counter and register. There you will be given important information about the examination and usually also information material, which you should then read through at your leisure and, if necessary, carefully complete the enclosed questionnaires. As soon as you are called to the waiting area, you will be taken to the changing room, where you will usually be informed about the examination. You will also be asked to clear the area to be examined and to remove all metal objects, electronic devices or other objects sensitive to electromagnetic radiation; if you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to ask the staff at the respective institute. You will then be placed in the MR scanner. The examination itself is straightforward: you will lie in the tube for about 10 to 20 minutes while the images are taken. The duration depends on the question being asked, the image quality and the device. It is important that you lie very still during the MR examination and do not move, as otherwise the images will be blurred and less easy to assess. It should be noted that, for example, movements of the head or toes have a negative effect on the image quality during an MRI of the lumbar spine, because movements of more distant body regions can also have a negative effect on the image quality.

• MRI lumbar spine disc herniation: The German term “Bandscheibenvorfall” was replaced in international specialist circles in 2011 by terms such as herniation, bulging, protrusion or extrusion of the disc. All of these terms describe protrusions of the intervertebral disc, which can take different shapes; the important thing is whether the bulging disc is compressing a nerve or the spinal cord and thus causing discomfort. An MRI of the lumbar spine can show this very well.
• Lumbar spine degeneration (e.g. “degenerative changes”, “osteochondrosis”): Wear and tear of the intervertebral discs, vertebrae, vertebral joints, ligaments, joint capsules and muscles in the lumbar spine are referred to as lumbar spine degeneration. Lumbar spine degeneration increases with age and can lead to pain.
• Sciatica irritation – what is the sciatica trying to tell me? The sciatica is a large nerve that supplies both the legs and feet. Irritation of the sciatic nerve can cause pain and can be visualized in the MRI of the lumbar spine.
• Malalignments: Lordosis Kyphosis; kyphosis and lordosis are curvatures of the spine. A normal thoracic spine has a certain degree of kyphosis and a normal lumbar spine has a certain degree of lordosis, but too much kyphosis and lordosis or kyphosis of the lumbar spine and lordosis of the thoracic spine can also be pathological and associated with pain. Although kyphosis and lordosis are visible in the MRI, they must be confirmed by means of a standing image (usually X-ray) in order to make a correct diagnosis.
• MRI lumbar spine inflammation: Inflammation of the intervertebral discs and the adjacent vertebrae and soft tissue can cause pain. An MRI of the lumbar spine can identify such inflammation as the cause of pain.

Symptoms of a dislocated vertebra: pain and restricted movement. Imaging of a dislocated vertebra: the classic diagnosis of a dislocated vertebra is a manual medical or chiropractic diagnosis that is made without imaging. However, an MRI can very well show other important causes of pain and restricted movement, such as wear and tear, inflammatory changes or tumors, which should often be ruled out beforehand.

An MRI of the spine can provide detailed information about the intervertebral discs, vertebral bodies and surrounding soft tissue in order to diagnose diseases or injuries.

Wear comfortable clothing without metal parts and inform the medical staff of any implants or health concerns.