MRI of the brain has surpassed CT in the detection of disease processes due to its superior sensitivity and excellent presentation of contrast between various anatomical structures. Compared to CT, MR studies of the posterior fossa are more well-defined because MRI is not subject to bone artifacts that obscure lesions, particularly to those in the cerebellar-pontine region. Complex imaging planes are possible which, for example, allow direct imaging of the optic nerve and its tracts through the orbital apex and beyond the optic chiasm.
MRI of the spine has long been the procedure recognized as yielding more diagnostic information for evaluation of primary or metastatic tumors of the spinal cord. MR imaging of other important anatomical structures of the spinal cord such as the nerve and nerve roots, neural foramina, ligaments and disc spaces is further enhanced by exceptional resolution and contrast without bone artifacts which are common in CT spinal imaging.
Using orthogonal and oblique slice planes, along with various selections of tissue contrast, MR provides a highly effective alternative to X-ray myelography and the risks associated with intra-thecal contrast injections.
This sagittal T1-weighted cervical spine image provides extended anatomical coverage from brainstem to T-5.
This fast spin echo sagittal image of the lumbar spine demonstrates a large disc herniation at L5-S1.
A large enhancing lesion is visualized on this coronal post-contrast spin echo sequence.
This axial Fast FLAIR image offers detailed evaluation of white matter areas in the brain with high T2-weighted contrast and suppression of CSE.