MRI Spine (Whole Spine) - Test, Procedure & Cost

The MRI spine machine is a large tube-like structured machine, it is open on both its ends. You need to lie perfectly still during the scan as any movement during the scan can lead to blurred images the scanner produces loud noises during the scan, earplugs can help in noise cancellation.

The MRI scan uses strong magnets to produce scan images that might get interfered with by metal objects or devices.

Metallic jewellery that interfere with the scan:

• Jewellery, 
• Hairpins, 
• Glasses, 
• Dentures, 
• Hearing aids, 
• Watches, 
• Noserings,etc

Metallic device that may interfere with the scan:

• Cardiac pacemaker
• Stents
• Coils
• Insulin pumps
• Nerve stimulators
• Defibrillators 
• Prosthetic body part etc

These metallic devices functioning can be altered due to the magnetic field created by the scanner, hence it is necessary to intimate your doctor about any piercing and metal devices beforehand.

The MRI spine is used to highlight certain spinal cord problems. The whole spine screening test usually takes about 30 minutes to about an hour.

MRI whole spine is a highly accurate diagnostic imaging technique that produces images of your spine, discs, soft tissues and spinal cord. These scan images are used to diagnose certain conditions and diseases.

An MRI- magnetic resonance imaging is a painless test and a safe procedure. The scan doesn't use any ionising radiation for creating scan images, but magnets and radio waves. The scan images produced contain the body's organs, muscles, structures and soft tissues.

MRI scan can be helpful in detecting certain causes of lower back pain, although other diagnostic imaging might be opted for detecting other reasons of back pain.

The spinal MRI is a painless and non-invasive procedure. Sometimes a contrast medium is used which is injected into your veins. The contrast injection might cause a prick pain that does away within few seconds.

Fasting before an MRI scan is recommended. If you cannot stay hungry, you should eat light food such as fruits. If you are undergoing a contrast based study, eating 4-6 hours before the scan should be avoided, although you can drink clear fluids.