How should I prepare for Spine MRI?

Before your spine MRI exam, you’ll need to change into a gown and should avoid bringing jewelry or metal objects. Unless instructed otherwise, you can maintain your normal diet, routine, and medications; however, some exams may require specific preparation, which your scheduler will communicate. Inform your technologist and scheduler about any illnesses, medications, allergies, potential pregnancy, or if you experience claustrophobia, and consult the guidance on metal in the body to determine if additional precautions, such as an X-ray, are needed.

Spine MRI

Q: When is Spine MRI recommended?

A spine MRI may be recommended if you have symptoms such as back pain or signs of a pinched nerve, as it helps diagnose potential spinal disorders. It is used to assess trauma-related damage, disc disease, spinal alignment, fractures, infections, tumors, and nerve or spinal cord compression or inflammation. Additionally, it can assist in planning spinal surgery, radiation therapy, or biopsy.

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

A spine MRI scan is a noninvasive, painless procedure that provides highly detailed images of bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels in a single scan—often helping to avoid exploratory surgery and without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation. However, patients with certain implanted medical devices, poor kidney function (when contrast is used), or those who are pregnant should consult their physician due to rare but potential risks. Gadolinium-based contrast agents carry a slight risk of allergic reaction, and while MRI is generally considered safe during breastfeeding and pregnancy, use of contrast during pregnancy should be weighed carefully.

Detailed imaging of the structures and vessels of the spine.

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

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine is a special scan that uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to generate images of your spine and surrounding structures. Spine MRI can be used to evaluate problems with the vertebrae (bones of the spinal column), intervertebral discs, spinal cord, nerves, and ligaments.

In some cases, your doctor may order a spine MRI with intravenous (IV) contrast. This allows for better visualization of bones, spinal cord, nerves, and other structures. Please refer to the About Contrast section for more details.

When is spine MRI recommended?

If you have signs or symptoms that could be caused by a disorder of the spine, your doctor may recommend a spine MRI. For example, you might have problems with back pain or symptoms of a pinched nerve. Spine MRI can be used to:

Assess damage after trauma to the spine
Determine if there is disc disease or herniation
Check for abnormal spinal alignment
Detect fractures, infections, and tumors
Identify spinal cord or nerve compression and/or inflammation

Spine MRI may also be recommended when planning for spinal surgery, radiation therapy, or biopsy.

What are the benefits and risks of spine MRI?

Benefits

Spine MRI scan is noninvasive and painless.
In a single scan, a spine MRI can evaluate bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels.
An MRI exam may help you avoid exploratory surgery.
MRI scan does not expose you to any ionizing radiation.
MRI provides highly detailed images of the spine and surrounding structures and can assist in the diagnosis and evaluation of disorders in the spine area.

Risks

Any medical devices implanted into your body may be at risk of malfunction due to the strong magnetic field. 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?

Spine MRI is provided in multiple ARA imaging centers and takes a total of about 30 minutes.
Most likely, only part of your spine will be scanned.
You will be asked to change into a gown. You will be required to remove all metal objects 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.
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.
Special coils that enhance the MRI signal will be placed near the parts of the body to be examined.
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 spine 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.