MRI Lumbar Spine Disc Herniation

One of the most often scanned areas of the body is the lumbar spine.  An MRI of the lumbar spine is most often done to determine if a patient has a herniated disc.  Patients will usually present with low back pain with associated buttock or lower extremity pain.  Don't be alarmed if a patient has a lumbar disc but no apparent low back pain though.  Many patients do not complain of low back pain.  It just depends on which nerves are being compressed.  Routine MRI sequences are T1 and T2 sagitals and T1 and T2 axials.  STIR sagitals will be performed if the patient has had a distinct recent injury.  Here is a website with images and discussion about this:  http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-HLDisc.htm

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