MRI of the thoracic spine is a highly informative method for studying the condition of bone structures, muscles and vascular networks, thanks to which it is possible to diagnose many diseases of various etiologies.

There is no pain during the examination, and the results are given on the same day, which makes it possible to provide the patient with prompt and qualified care.

What does it show?

• prerequisites for the development of chronic spinal pathologies, such as osteochondrosis;
• pathologies that provoke pain in the sternum, heart, kidneys and other nearby organs;
• infections and areas of pus accumulation;
• displacements, ruptures, fractures and other injuries of the vertebrae;
• vertebral dystrophy;
• sponylolisthesis;
• neoplasms of malignant and benign nature;
• incorrect anatomical location of the vertebrae;
• stroke and bleeding;
• disc protrusion and hernia.

Indications and contraindications

The main indications for MRI screening of the thoracic spine are:

• preparation for surgery and monitoring the effectiveness of the intervention;
• chest injuries;
• congenital anomalies of the spine;
• spinal cord injuries of any severity, as well as abscesses;
• multiple sclerosis and encephalomyelitis;
• primary and secondary foci of cancer;
• circulatory and vascular system disorders;
• assessment of the condition of patients with ankylosing spondylitis, spondylitis and osteomyelitis;
• probable spinal canal stenosis;
• development of inflammatory processes;
• patient complaints of pain and limited mobility;
• symptoms of intercostal neuralgia.

Despite the fact that the study is completely harmless to the human body, there are situations when it cannot be performed:

• the patient has mental or physiological pathologies (hyperkinesis) that do not allow maintaining a motionless body position;
• if the patient is obese and weighs more than 120 kilograms;
• when the body has implants and other devices that contain metal (in this case it is impossible to obtain clear images);
• if you have severe claustrophobia, as an option, you can undergo an examination of the thoracic spine using an open tomograph;
• when the patient requires constant hardware support of vital signs.

Attention! In the first three months of pregnancy, it is advisable not to undergo a magnetic resonance scan, and if you cannot do without it, then you must notify the radiologist.

How is it going?

The procedure takes place in a special room where a tomograph is located. The office is combined with the room where the radiologist is located. Before scanning begins, all items with metal elements (including bras with metal underwires) must be removed.

To obtain clear images, the patient is placed on a mobile couch in a certain position - he will need to remain in it until the end of the scan. The table is then moved inside the arch and the process of creating layer-by-layer cuts in a high position begins. During the diagnosis, noise and clicks are heard, so patients are often asked to wear earplugs, and when the screening is completed, they can return to their normal lifestyle.

Duration of the study

If the case is simple, diagnosing the thoracic region takes 40-50 minutes, and patients who are injected with contrast will have to spend up to an hour and a half inside the tomograph tunnel. When contacting a private diagnostic center, results are issued on the same day; on average, you have to wait about 60 minutes for an expert opinion.

Differences from CT

An alternative to magnetic resonance imaging is often called CT. But although these methods have a common principle for obtaining images, they are distinguished by the type of irradiation and indications for use.

Computed tomography is done to diagnose pathologies of bone structures using X-rays, and MRI is more informative in detecting pathologies of soft tissues and cartilage and involves the use of electromagnetic waves. The results of both studies allow us to identify diseases of the thoracic spine, but at the same time:

• MRI can be done an unlimited number of times without harm to health. In addition, it is given to pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as young children.
• A CT scan is carried out in the presence of pins, implants and pacemakers, but doing it more than 1-2 times every one or two years is dangerous for health. The procedure is prohibited during pregnancy, but is extremely effective in emergency traumatology.

Which method is preferable specifically in your case is determined by a specialized specialist (oncologist, traumatologist, orthopedist, therapist, etc.).

The thoracic region is a block consisting of vertebrae, ribs and sternum. Unlike the lumbar region, the thoracic region is stable and inactive, because serves to protect vital organs: heart and lungs. When pathologies arise in it that affect the nerve processes, pain occurs in the internal organs associated with them. Of all the known diagnostic methods, only MRI can determine that the source of pain is the thoracic spine.

Tomography of the spine from the cervical to the sacral region allows you to see the condition of the bones and vertebrae in all projections of movement: bending back and forth, left and right, turns. The work involves muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which are also clearly visible on three-dimensional MRI images.

How does a magnetic resonance imaging scanner work?

The operation of a magnetic tomograph is based on the principle of resonance response - the reaction to magnetic radiation of water molecules. Their structure includes hydrogen, the nuclear particles of which - protons - are arranged in a certain order under the influence of a magnetic flux. This order is recorded by the tomograph sensors, and the computer processes the information, turning it into an image. What does MRI show in the images? – The more fluid in the tissue, the darker it is: muscles, intervertebral discs, blood vessels have a dark tint on them. Dense tissues - vertebrae, bones - look light. Contrast images on an MRI scanner make it possible to reconstruct scanned organs with an accuracy of up to 0.1 mm.

What pathologies does MRI detect?

If the thoracic spine is being examined, an MRI may show:

• deformation of intervertebral discs, characteristic of osteochondrosis: changes in their structure, protrusion and hernia;
• condition of the spinal cord: stenosis (compression), the presence of infectious inflammation, stroke;
• the position of the nerve processes connecting the brain with the internal organs: their blood supply, compression from cartilaginous formations and swollen muscles;
• pathology of the ligaments: are there any ruptures and spondylosis (rigid fusion of the vertebrae).
• foci of edema and inflammation in the muscles surrounding the spine, which are the main source of pain in pathologies of the thoracic spine;
• neoplasms and metastases in the organs of the retrosternal cavity.

Pain syndrome, difficulty breathing, limitation in the movement of the upper limbs - all this is often associated with degenerative changes in the musculoskeletal system, which will be shown by MRI of the thoracic spine.

Tomograph operating modes

An MRI of the chest produces slices—images of tissue at a certain depth. It is recommended to scan with a distance from one layer to another no more than 3 mm, then all anomalies will be noticeable. Tomography is carried out in two modes:

• T1 - used when it is necessary to determine the presence of fluid in tissues. But it does not provide sufficient contrast in the pictures.
• T2 is a mode of wave penetration to great depth; it provides complete information about the vertebrae and adjacent tissues.

Along with the usual procedure, an MRI of the thoracic spine with contrast is performed. This method is used in the study of blood vessels and blood flow through them, in determining the nature of joint damage, as well as in analyzing the structure of neoplasms. After injection into a vein, the gadolinium drug accumulates in tissues and vessels, making their review even more informative.

Indications and contraindications

Magnetic resonance imaging is a complex and expensive diagnosis; its use is justified when the etiology of the disease cannot be determined by simpler methods.

When is an MRI prescribed?

Checking the heart and lungs often shows no changes in these organs, despite severe pain in the back, in the chest cavity, with stiffness in the chest and difficulty breathing. Then you should do an MRI of the thoracic spine, which will show the cause of the pain syndrome: inflammatory processes and swelling of muscle tissue near the spine, pinched nerve roots, tumors of various etiologies.

MRI is also indicated:

• for osteochondrosis, intervertebral protrusions and hernias;
• for neuralgia, pain in the liver, kidneys, stomach, the cause of which is not determined by the diagnosis of these organs;
• with disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system, tingling, numbness of the extremities;
• for bruises and injuries, suspected spinal cord damage;
• in preparation for surgery.

Using this diagnostic method, the following diseases are determined:

• congenital anomalies of the spinal column;
• osteochondrosis, bone tuberculosis;
• spinal abscess;
• multiple sclerosis, encephalomyelitis;
• oncology of various localizations;
• stenosis and thrombosis of blood vessels.

Who should not have an MRI?

Unlike X-ray diagnostics, MRI is a harmless and safe procedure. But sometimes it is not possible for the following reasons.

1. There are metal or electronic objects in the patient's body: pacemakers, prostheses, fragments or post-operative clamps on blood vessels. The magnetic field can disrupt their work and set them in motion, which will affect the patient’s condition. Titanium implants are not a contraindication for MRI.
2. Large tattoo area using metal-based paint.
3. Mental illnesses, epilepsy, claustrophobia will not allow the patient to lie calmly and motionlessly in the tomograph tunnel for 20-40 minutes, and this is necessary for successful diagnosis.
4. Children under 7 years of age are unable to force themselves not to move during the procedure.
5. MRI is not prescribed for pregnant women, since there is no research on the absolute safety of magnetic radiation for the fetus.
6. MRI with contrast is not performed on people with allergies to contrast agents, women during lactation, and patients with kidney disease.

Patients who are heavy should take into account that the table of conventional tomographs can only support 120-150 kg.

Preparation and carrying out diagnostics

Preparation for MRI of the thoracic spine does not require any special restrictions or tests. The patient receives instructions from the doctor on how to do an MRI of the spine.

How to behave before the examination

• Staying in a closed tunnel of a tomograph during its noisy operation should not be unexpected for the patient: it is worth stocking up on earplugs.
• If there are foreign bodies in the body, you must bring a certificate: where, when, in what place, from what material the implant was installed.
• It is necessary to remove all metal objects, jewelry, and remove money and keys from your pockets so that they do not suddenly end up on the operating device during the procedure.
• If you have pain, you should take painkillers to remain still during the examination.
• For children, people with claustrophobia or weakened mental health, the procedure is carried out with sedatives or under anesthesia.

The doctor explains how an MRI of the thoracic spine is done with contrast. The day before, you are not supposed to eat for five hours; Immediately before the examination, the patient is injected with a contrast agent - gadolinium. It is necessary to find out in advance whether there is an allergy to it.

Progress of MRI

The patient is placed on the tomograph table. Arms and legs are secured with straps to ensure immobility. The table drives into a tunnel, where for 20-40 minutes the magnetic field moves around the patient’s body lengthwise and crosswise, scanning the study area in sections. An MRI takes longer than a CT scan. Apart from the characteristic noise, the tomograph does not create any discomfort or pain. Immediately after the procedure, the patient can carry out normal activities.

Conclusion and diagnosis

The interpretation of the MRI results is carried out by a radiologist, who makes a description of the images and a conclusion. The final diagnosis is made by the attending physician.

• if the tomography reveals neoplasms, the disease is diagnosed by an oncologist or neurosurgeon;
• changes in the spinal cord, inflammation and compression of the nerve roots will be dealt with by a neurologist;
• with protrusions and intervertebral hernias, bruises and injuries, contact a vertebrologist and traumatologist.

The cost of MRI of the spine is higher than CT or ultrasound. But this method is the only one that gives a complete picture of the condition of the chest. It does not pose a health hazard, like radiation diagnostics, and in most cases does not require contrast. An accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are worth the money spent on an MRI.

MRI of the thoracic spine or organs is a diagnostic measure that allows one to determine morphological changes in tissue, degenerative-inflammatory processes, as well as a number of diseases.

With its help, you can establish and differentiate the diagnosis, as well as prescribe the optimal type of therapy. This is the safest method of health research for the patient’s body, since it is carried out without the use of X-rays.

MRI of the chest is the most informative way to diagnose diseases associated with the spine and thoracic organs (lungs, heart, blood vessels, trachea, etc.).

It can be used to examine both bone and soft tissues. However, most often a similar procedure is used to study the spine: vertebral bodies, spinal cord, roots and intervertebral discs.

Indications for use

MRI of the thoracic spine is prescribed in the following cases:

• suspicion of osteochondrosis (at any stage of the disease);
• for suspected fractures, injuries and bruises of the spinal column (even if x-rays did not reveal any pathologies);
• if there is a suspicion of hernia or intervertebral protrusion;
• in the presence or suspicion of tumor-like neoplasms;
• if you suspect the presence of metastases arising from the primary cancer;
• with defects in the structure of the spinal column, circulatory disorders;
• if you suspect multiple sclerosis or encephalomyelitis (MRI of the chest is the only diagnostic method that shows these pathologies);
• with ankylosing spondylitis;
• making diagnoses such as osteomyelitis, spondylitis and other necrotic diseases;
• in the presence of vascular anomalies (arterial and venous);
• control over the condition of the spine after surgery;
• examination of the spine and soft tissues before surgery.

Organ diagnostics

If the chest organs are diagnosed, then the heart, lungs, trachea, vascular system, etc. are subject to examination. A similar procedure shows the condition of the heart valves, its anatomical structure, blood flow and lymph flow.

If the respiratory system is examined, then the lungs are assessed: the morphological structure of the tissues, the size of the organ, the condition of the pleura. In this case, inflammatory and degenerative processes in organs, metastases, tumor formations of various etiologies, etc. can be detected.

MRI of the thoracic spine is the most informative procedure. To improve the quality of three-dimensional images, a contrast agent is often introduced, which colors healthy and damaged areas of the thoracic spine with different colors.

Key benefits of the procedure

Diagnosis using the magnetic resonance method has its advantages over other examination methods (thoracic CT, ultrasound or x-ray). Such benefits include:

• High data accuracy. Sometimes a chest MRI is the only way to establish or differentiate the diagnosis. MRI images have a three-dimensional image, making it easier to choose the optimal therapy.
• No need to administer contrast agents. Magnetic resonance imaging can show pathologies without the use of contrast. Contrast agents can be additionally administered (during examination of the liver, brain, etc.), but this is not a mandatory condition of the procedure (unlike CT of the chest).
• Information content. MRI is used to examine both bone tissue (mainly the spine and ribs), as well as soft tissue (you can see the condition of the heart, lungs, blood vessels, etc.).
• Safety of the method. MRI of the chest organs is performed without the use of X-rays, which are unsafe for the body; diagnosis is carried out by exposing the patient to a magnetic field.
• Painless. The procedure is painless and quick (diagnostic time takes an average of 30-40 minutes).

Main contraindications for use

Chest MRI has one significant drawback - the procedure is not prescribed to patients who have metal and electrical implants in the body (for example, pacemakers, implants in the middle ear, etc.). This is due to the effect of a magnetic field on the body, which can damage the device (this problem does not arise with a CT scan of the thoracic spine).

Other contraindications to the procedure include:

• excess weight (the tomograph can withstand up to 150 kg of weight);
• the presence of mental illnesses that do not allow maintaining one body position;
• epilepsy, claustrophobia, panic attacks;
• the presence of tattoos with inks containing metal particles;
• pregnancy (this contraindication is relative, since there is no reliable data on the negative impact of MRI of the chest organs on the fetus).

Types of procedure

MRI of the thoracic spine is performed in two ways:

• using a contrast agent;
• without using contrast.

The use of contrast agents is optional, but it increases the accuracy of the image and increases the chance of making a correct diagnosis and prescribing adequate therapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging procedure

The duration of MRI diagnostics ranges from 30 to 60 minutes. The procedure includes two stages: preparing the patient for examination and direct examination. The principle of the study includes the following stages:

• Preparing the patient for the procedure. At the same time, all metal objects, removable electrical devices such as prostheses, hearing aids, etc. are removed. – such a measure is not required when performing a CT scan of the thoracic region.
• Fixing the patient using bolsters and belts on the couch (to maintain immobility).
• Immersion of the patient in the tomograph and exposure to a magnetic field.

The tomograph capsule contains a means of communication with technologists, a fan and lighting, so the procedure is as comfortable as possible.

How is an MRI performed? (video)

An alternative to MRI - diagnostics using a computed tomograph

CT scan of the thoracic spine (computed tomography) is prescribed when it is impossible to conduct magnetic resonance diagnostics. The CT procedure involves identifying pathologies in the spine and chest organs using X-rays, so the method is not as safe as MRI.

In addition, a mandatory condition for the examination is the administration of contrast agents - MRI of the thoracic spine does not require such manipulations.

The advantage of thoracic CT is the ability to perform the procedure on people who have electrical and metal implants. This is due to the fact that the method is based on the use of x-rays, which do not react to metal devices. The disadvantage of CT of the thoracic spine or organs is that the procedure is less informative compared to MRI.

They do the most accurate examinations of the spine. The installation interacts through a magnetic field with hydrogen atoms in the organs being diagnosed, receives signals and gives a detailed picture of the condition of the vertebrae, discs and surrounding tissues.

Why do you need to undergo magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine?

A short excursion into the features of this part of the spine will help you understand this. The thoracic region is a rigid frame that combines twelve vertebrae, ribs and sternum. The vertebrae and ribs are connected by joints, the ribs on both sides in front are fused with the sternum.

The vertebrae of this department suffer less from injuries, their movements relative to each other are greatly limited. However, painful phenomena in this area of ​​the back are quite common.

Dystrophic pathologies of the column arise due to metabolic disorders and weakened nutrition of the discs. Lifting weights with improper load distribution also leads to changes in the discs and preconditions for osteochondrosis.

Problems with the joints of the spine are one of the reasons for the reduction of the openings through which nerve fibers exit. Squeezing them leads to pain in the area of ​​the organs for which they are responsible.

Often, painful sensations in the stomach, heart, pancreas, liver, and kidneys are caused by problems in the thoracic spine. An MRI procedure can accurately clarify the cause of pain and establish a diagnosis.

What will an MRI show?

The study will provide information about the condition of the hard and soft tissues of the thoracic region and identify the presence of pathologies in it.

The photo shows images of the thoracic spine taken using MRI

The following diseases are diagnosed using MRI:

• congenital vertebral anomalies,
• disorders in the development of the spinal cord from birth,
• spinal injuries,
• degenerative changes in discs, vertebrae,
• narrowing of the spinal cord canal,
• ankylosing spondylitis,
• education in the thoracic region,
• hemorrhages, stroke and other vascular problems of the spinal cord,
• spondylolisthesis,
• pathologies of the spine of an infectious nature,
• violation of the anatomical location of the vertebrae,
• spinal column deformities.

Indications for use

Systematic pain in the back is a signal of the need to establish the cause of this phenomenon. The thoracic region should be diagnosed using the most informative method - MRI.

Indications for examination may include the following symptoms:

• heart-like pain
• discomfort between the shoulder blades,
• chest pain that has a girdling character,
• lumbago in the area of ​​the intercostal nerves (intercostal neuralgia),
• feeling of tightness in the chest,
• feeling of numbness in the chest,
• painful sensations in the epigastric region, intensifying after physical work,
• discomfort in the liver area,
• dysfunction of the genital organs.

Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is disguised as symptoms of functional disorders of organs subordinate to the corresponding nerves that are experiencing oppression. The “chameleon disease” skillfully misleads patients and the specialists to whom they turn.

An incomplete list of diseases whose symptoms can be caused by osteochondrosis:

• colitis,
• gastritis,
• appendicitis,
• peptic ulcer,
• cholecystitis,
• renal colic,
• angina pectoris
• heart attack

If the disease is already observed by specialists, then the indication for diagnosis may be:

1. Clarification of studies carried out using other methods, e.g.
2. Tracking the effectiveness of treatment.
3. Preparation for surgery.

Contraindications for diagnosis

How to prepare for the procedure

1. Before the study, it is necessary to leave the following areas outside the magnetic field:
   • all metal objects: jewelry, coins and so on,
   • devices that can respond to the influence of the device: mobile phones, hearing aids, cards and other items of this kind.
2. When diagnosing using a contrast agent, do not eat for four hours before the procedure.

How they do it

The procedure is painless and does not cause any discomfort. Some devices make noise, but it does not add any inconvenience because it is not loud. The duration of the study is twenty minutes, if contrast is used - forty minutes.

Price

The cost of the procedure depends on the quality of the equipment in the examination center and pricing policy.

On average, you have to pay for diagnostics.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine (MRI) is an effective, highly accurate research method that allows you to detect pathologies and damage in the soft tissue area? bone structures, spinal cord, blood vessels. Such diagnostics help to identify disturbances in blood flow in vessels of different sizes, neoplasms, various developmental anomalies, changes in the cartilaginous structures of the intervertebral discs and tissues surrounding the spinal column.

The images of the spine obtained during the study allow the doctor to fully assess the patient’s condition and make the correct diagnosis. The fact is that during the examination, not only the vertebral bodies are perfectly visualized, but also the intervertebral discs, the spinal cord, as well as the nerve roots and joints of the spinal column.

Magnetic resonance imaging is very often used in such areas of modern medicine as neurology, oncology, neurosurgery in order to determine the disease (establish a diagnosis) and the stage of its development, decide whether such a serious measure as surgery is necessary, as well as monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

It is worth noting that this diagnosis is carried out not only for the spine, but also for other parts of the musculoskeletal system - doctors often prescribe, for example, an MRI of the shoulder joint.

This procedure may be prescribed by a doctor. Conditions for which magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine is indicated include:

• osteochondrosis in the thoracic region;
• fractures, as well as various injuries of the spinal column, even if there are no changes on the x-ray;
• suspicion of protrusion or herniation of intervertebral discs;
• tumors of the spine, localized in the thoracic region, as well as tumors of the so-called metastatic (secondary) nature that arise from cancer of the body tissues;
• defects in the structure and development of the spine, both congenital and acquired;
• demyelinating processes of the nervous system - such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. The fact is that MRI of the thoracic spine, unfortunately, is so far the only way to visualize and diagnose these pathologies;
• circulatory disorders in the spinal cord;
• various inflammatory diseases, for example, ankylosing spondylitis;
• necrotic (destructive) processes developing in this part of the spine, such as tuberculous spondylitis, osteomyelitis, and the like;
• anomalies of arterial and venous vessels;
• monitoring the condition of the spine after surgery;
• preparation for surgery on the spinal column and soft tissues surrounding it.

MRI of the thoracic spine: contraindications

Like any other procedure, MRI also has contraindications, so before undergoing it, you must inform your doctor about all your diseases. Thus, one of the factors preventing the use of this diagnostic measure is chronic renal failure - in this condition there is a pronounced impairment in the removal of the contrast agent from the body.

MRI is also not performed on pregnant and lactating women, since the contrast agent administered during the examination may have a negative effect on the fetus or pass into breast milk.

An allergy to the contrast agent introduced into the body can lead to the development of anaphylactic shock, which can threaten the patient’s life. Claustrophobia, that is, fear of closed spaces, can affect the course of the study, as the patient may panic. In this case, MRI is best performed by putting the patient into a state of artificial medicated sleep.

If there are metal elements in the body, for example, such as a pacemaker, vascular clips, parts used to connect bone structures (regardless of their location) and the like, the examination is also not performed. This is explained by the fact that the magnetic field generated during this procedure causes disruption of the artificial pacemaker, while ferromagnetic metals move and heat up for the same reasons.

But braces, titanium dentures and dental implants are not contraindications for this procedure, since the materials from which they are made are not attracted by magnets.

It is also worth noting that childhood is not a contraindication for MRI, but it must be remembered that the patient must remain motionless during the procedure. That is why it is believed that such diagnostics can only be carried out from the age of seven. If there is a need to examine a young child, it is permissible to use drugs for anesthesia - in the ward or in the room to prepare the patient for the study, a drug prescribed by the anesthesiologist is administered intravenously, turning off consciousness during the MRI.

MRI of the spine: preparation

As a rule, such a diagnostic procedure as MRI of the spine does not require special preparation. If necessary, magnetic resonance imaging can be performed at any time of the day. There is no need to follow a diet or refuse to take medications prescribed by your doctor or limit the amount of fluid. Before you go for the study, you need to take with you an extract from your outpatient card, a referral, and pictures of previous examinations.

Very often, MRI requires the use of a special contrast agent to determine the boundaries of the lesion. This drug is administered intravenously, it passes through the vessels, and then accumulates in the tissues, thereby facilitating the best visualization of the pathological focus. Modern drugs used for additional contrast are usually well tolerated and do not cause allergic reactions. However, the doctor performing the study, even at the stage of preparation for MRI, needs to be told about the characteristics of the body and the possibility of developing allergic reactions.

How to do an MRI of the spine

Before the examination, it is necessary to remove all metal objects - earrings, rings, watches, bracelets, etc. If the patient is bothered by the noise made by the device during the examination, he can use earplugs. In the event that a study with a contrast agent is necessary, the selected drug is administered intravenously immediately before the start of the procedure.

The examination itself is carried out with the person lying on his back, and his arms, head and legs are fixed. The table with the patient slides into the ring part of the device. Then the device's sensor rotates around the thoracic spine. In this case, the person must remain as still as possible - otherwise the pictures will not be clear enough. As a rule, MRI of the thoracic spine is not accompanied by any unpleasant sensations, other than some psychological discomfort.

Survey results

As a rule, the doctor’s report is issued an hour after the MRI, but in difficult cases it can be prepared the next day. With pictures and a conclusion, the person goes to the doctor who prescribed this type of examination. And if the study was carried out on the initiative of the patient himself, then he will have to contact the hoof doctor himself to decipher them.

So, if you suspect the presence of a tumor, you need to visit doctors such as a neurosurgeon and oncologist. If there is evidence indicating pathologies of the spinal cord or spine, you should consult a qualified neurologist. If you have pain or other similar problems, you should go to a traumatologist or vertebrologist. If surgery is necessary, you should consult a neurosurgeon.

Advantages of MRI of the thoracic spine and its alternatives

MRI is deservedly considered one of the most informative and safe studies. Due to the absence of such a harmful factor as radiation exposure, this examination, unlike X-rays and computed tomography, can be repeated several times without any harm to the body. The accuracy of the data obtained during this procedure is beyond doubt. However, in the process of examining a patient with spinal pathology, additional diagnostics are sometimes required, for example, an MRI of the lumbosacral spine.

There are also alternative methods for studying the musculoskeletal system - these include, first of all, computed tomography and x-rays. Unfortunately, they only reveal metastases or fractures - pathology affecting bone structures. In other cases (with circulatory disorders, cartilage neoplasms, hernias and other pathologies), magnetic resonance imaging remains an indispensable method of instrumental diagnostics, the use of which helps to quickly and accurately make a diagnosis. When diagnosing various pathologies in the spinal cord area, computed tomography using a contrast agent can be performed.

So, a procedure such as MRI of the spine allows timely identification of various pathologies of the spinal column, localized, including in the thoracic region. Thanks to this research, doctors have an excellent opportunity to begin treating the disease in its early stages.