MRI Thoracic Spine

MRI of the thoracic spine is very useful to depict compression fractures.  These fractures can and do happen to individuals more often when they have low calcium levels in their bones.  Many times this will be the first sign that a person needs to be tested for osteoporosis.  Sometimes these fractures can be treated by a procedure called vertebroplasties.  This is were a substance like cement is injected into the vertebral body to help maintain the structure.    MRI is usually done to find these fractures.  You must do a STIR sequence with a routine study.  This will show if the fracture is acute.  A good website with further explanations and images about this is:  http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0101/p111.html