Description

The dorsal spine is the central part of the spine, also called the thoracic spine, and runs from the base of the neck to the bottom of the rib cage. This part of the spine plays a vital role in providing flexibility to the upright body and protects the chest organs.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical diagnostic procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio frequency waves to capture detailed images of the different parts of the body.

The MRI of the dorsal spine is a type of scan that creates pictures of the middle part of the spine to look for abnormalities and disorders such as intervertebral discs diseases, congenital deformities of the dorsal spine, nerve compression, spine infection, and spine tumour, to name a few.

This type of scan is often recommended by physicians to patients who are experiencing back pain for a long time, chronic pain around the chest, and sometimes post-surgery to record the changes.

This diagnostic procedure sometimes requires a contrast material (gadolinium) for better clarity and clearer images of the internal structures of the body. It is a non-invasive procedure that is used in various diagnostic and treatment processes.

An MRI of the dorsal spine should be avoided in certain medical conditions namely:

* Pregnant women, especially in the first trimester
* Body piercing and permanent tattoos
* Someone wearing a medication patch
* Medical implants such as cochlear (ear), implantable pumps, pacemakers, aneurysm clips, metal plates, pins, screws, surgical staples, cardiac defibrillators, and metal coils, to name a few.
* Bullet wounds and metal fragments
Why an MRI dorsal spine is performed.

MRI Dorsal Spine procedure
The MRI dorsal spine scan requires you to lie flat on your stomach or your side on a retractable table that goes into the scanner.

For a successful MRI dorsal spine scan, you need to lie still. If you feel any discomfort, you can speak to the radiologist via the scanner-embedded intercom.

Due to being non-invasive and the absence of radiation, the MRI dorsal spine scan is touted as the safest medical diagnostics procedure for spine disorders.

To get better imaging of harder-to-reach areas of the dorsal spine section and its surrounding areas, a contrast dye or contrast material can be administered orally or intravenously before the scan.

You’d need to rest and restrict movement after taking the dye, as it will take about 30 minutes for the dye to absorb in the system.

Post-scanning, the radiologist will examine the captured images and create the report for your doctor. However, if he/she determines the need for additional images, you might be asked to take the test again.