How should I prepare for Neck MRI?

Before your MRI, you will need to change into a gown and should leave any jewelry or metal objects at home. Unless instructed otherwise, you may follow your regular diet and take your usual medications, though some exams may require fasting, which your scheduler will explain. Inform your technologist about any illnesses, allergies, or medications, disclose if you are or might be pregnant, and discuss sedation options if you have anxiety or claustrophobia; an X-ray may be taken to detect internal metal if needed.

Neck MRI

Q: When is Neck MRI recommended?

A neck MRI may be recommended if you have symptoms like a lump, neck pain, or difficulty swallowing, which could indicate abnormalities such as tumors, infections, aneurysms, or internal injuries. It is also used for planning neck surgery, radiation therapy, or biopsy. While CT scans are better for assessing bone injuries, MRIs are more effective for evaluating soft tissue issues like herniated discs or spinal cord damage.

Q: What are the benefits and risks of Neck MRI?

A neck MRI is a noninvasive, painless procedure that evaluates bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels in a single scan without exposing you to ionizing radiation, and it offers superior imaging of fluid-containing structures compared to CT scans. It is particularly useful for assessing the spinal cord, bulging discs, and other soft tissue conditions. Although generally safe, rare risks include complications with implanted medical devices, allergic reactions to contrast agents, and potential concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, who should consult their physician.

Visualizing the structures of the neck area.

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Home > Exams & Services > Magnetic Resonance Imaging > Neck MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck is a special scan that uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to generate images of the inner structures of the neck. This test can be used to evaluate symptoms such as neck pain, weakness in the arms/legs, or lumps felt in the neck. Neck MRI can detect aneurysms, tumors, infections, and other disorders associated with the neck region.

In some cases, your doctor may order a neck MRI with intravenous (IV) contrast. This allows for better visualization of blood vessels and other structures. Please refer to the About Contrast section for more details about MRI scanning.

When is neck MRI recommended?

Your doctor may recommend a neck MRI if you have symptoms that could be caused by an abnormality in structures of your neck. You might notice a lump, neck discomfort, or trouble swallowing, or your doctor might feel something while examining your neck, such as enlarged lymph nodes. Diseases and disorders of the neck can include:

Tumors of the neck or mouth regions
Aneurysm of the carotid arteries which may cause a bulging in the neck
Infection in the neck area
Trauma or internal injuries to the neck and spinal cord

Neck MRI may also be recommended when planning for neck surgery, radiation therapy, or biopsy. For evaluating neck spinal injuries, your doctor will decide whether to order a computer tomography (CT scan) or MRI scan. CT scans are better for visualizing bone (fractures) while MRI is usually better for looking at soft tissue (herniated discs, spinal cord damage, pinched nerves, etc.).

What are the benefits and risks of neck MRI?

Benefits

Neck MRI scan is noninvasive and painless.
In a single scan, neck MRI can evaluate bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels.
MRI scan does not expose you to any ionizing radiation.
Compared to CT scan, MRI provides better imaging of fluid containing structures like the spinal cord, bulging discs, and other soft tissue.

Risks

Any medical devices implanted into your body may be at risk of malfunction due to the strong magnetic environment. See Can I have an MRI if I have metal in my body?
In very rare cases, in patients with poor kidney function, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a possible complication when contrast is used. Please refer to the About MRI Contrast section for more details.
Gadolinium-based contrast has a very slight risk of causing an allergic reaction which can usually be easily treated.
Pregnant women should consult with their physician prior to an MRI exam. However, there have been no documented negative effects of MRI in the many years of its medical usage, and MRI is often the method of imaging chosen for pregnant women and fetuses. It should be noted that MRI contrast agents are not recommended to be used during pregnancy unless the benefits far outweigh the risks.
The ACR states that current information suggests breastfeeding is safe after the use of intravenous contrast. Please discuss your breastfeeding options with your medical provider.

What should I expect?

Neck MRI is provided in multiple ARA imaging centers and takes a total of about 30-45 minutes.
You will be asked to change into a gown. You must remove all jewelry and metal from your body.
You’ll be placed on a moveable exam table which may have straps or bolsters to help keep your body from moving.
A special coil that enhances the MRI signal will be placed near the parts of the body to be examined.
If your study requires contrast, your technologist will place an intravenous (IV) line into your arm or hand to administer the contrast. IV placement may be uncomfortable and may cause bruising later but for most this is not the case. A saline solution drip may be used to help keep the IV line open.
The technologist will leave the MRI room where you are and conduct the exam from a computer in a control room. You will be able to speak with the technologist at all times. The technologist has direct visualization of you and the room. They will keep you informed of what is happening as your exam progresses.
When the procedure begins, the table moves you into the magnet, which is a cylinder-shaped machine.
MRI scanners are constructed with short tunnels that are open on both ends. Most people do not find this to be uncomfortable, but if you are anxious, please mention this to your scheduler. ARA may be able to schedule your exam on one of our open-bore or short-bore MRI scanners or plan for you to have light sedation. Our clinical staff are experts at helping people through MRI exams with minimum anxiety.
During the exam you might feel warmth in the body part being examined. If this becomes uncomfortable, let your technologist know.
When the images are being taken, you will hear loud knocking, tapping or thumping sounds. Earplugs or headphones with music are provided before the test begins.
In rare cases, some patients experience side effects from the contrast material, such as nausea or headache. If you experience any discomfort, let the technologist know.

How should I prepare?

You will be required to change into a gown. If possible, leave all jewelry and metal objects at home.
Unless you are told otherwise, you may follow your normal diet and routine before the exam. You should take all your medications as usual.
Some MRI exams require a prep which may include no food or drink for a specified time before the exam. Your scheduler will inform you of preparations if needed. If you are not given special instructions, you may follow your normal diet and routine before the exam.
Ask your doctor for specific directions about your daily medications if you have been asked to refrain from taking them.
Be sure to tell your technologist about any illness or allergies you may have. Also, provide a list of your current medications.
Be sure to tell your scheduler and technologist if you are or might be pregnant.
If you suffer from claustrophobia, panic attacks or anxiety, you might choose to receive sedation before the exam. Please mention this to your scheduler when making your appointment.
Before you schedule an MRI, refer to the section Can I have an MRI if I have metal in my body? to get more information about metal devices, implants or any other metal that might be affected by the magnet.
In some cases, an X-ray may be taken before the MRI to detect any metal that could be located inside your body.

How do I schedule?

To schedule a neck MRI, please use our online scheduling tool in the Patient Portal or you may call our scheduling team at (512) 453-6100 or toll free at (800) 998-8214. A referral from your healthcare provider is required to make an appointment.

How do I get my results?

A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to interpret radiological examinations, will analyze the images and send a signed report to the provider who referred you to ARA. The physician will then share the results with you.