What shows an MRI of the neck? MRI of the lymph nodes, vessels and soft tissues of the neck

Diseases of the soft tissues of the body - this is one of the most common groups of pathologies. These include many different inflammatory, destructive and hyperplastic processes. By “soft tissues” it is customary to understand all formations that are between the skeletal system and the skin. The composition of this group includes fatty tissue, muscles, blood vessels, lymph nodes, cartilage, etc. In order to examine these body tissues, it is necessary to carry out various diagnostic methods. Today, one of the best methods of imaging is considered to be magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thanks to this study, diseases of the brain, internal organs, and all soft tissues are diagnosed.

MRI of the cervical spine: a description of the method

What organs are most often examined during an MRI? The cervical region refers to one of the areas difficult to diagnose. A large number of vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues are concentrated in it.

Due to the accumulation of vital organs (carotid arteries, jugular vein) , invasive diagnostic methods are not recommended in this anatomical area. X-ray examinations of the cervical spine are informative only if violations of the bone structure (spine) are detected.

Previously, only the ultrasound diagnostic method was used to visualize soft tissues. Thanks to ultrasound, many pathologies can be detected. However, it is currently preferable to have an MRI of the soft tissues of the neck. What does such instrumental examination show and how does it differ?

This method is based on the electromagnetic properties of the cellular elements of the body. As you know, all living tissues have their own charge. Therefore, when the cervical region is immersed in a chamber with a magnetic field, the cells begin to activate, resonance occurs. Due to this property, the device scans tissues, and their images appear on the monitor in a three-dimensional image. The method is used to diagnose various pathological conditions.

Soft MRI of the neck: what does this study show?

Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck is widely used in various fields of medicine. Most often, it is required for the diagnosis of cancer, surgical and endocrinological diseases.

What does the MRI of the neck show, and what are the features of this method? Despite the fact that magnetic resonance imaging is more applicable to soft tissues, it also allows visualization of the bone structure. It is worth giving preference to this study in cases of suspected combined damage to the organs of the cervical spine.

Thanks to MRI, it is possible to visualize pathological changes in blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, as well as muscle and connective tissue. The images show structural disturbances, the appearance of neoplasms, an abnormal location or irregular shape of organs. The doctor performs functional diagnostics. Also, this doctor makes a conclusion after the study.

Indications for MRI of the cervical spine

Some patients ask the question: for what purpose were they prescribed MRI? The cervical region is a relatively small anatomical region, however, it contains many important organs. Among them are arteries and veins directly connected with the vessels of the brain, the thyroid gland, esophagus, trachea, and larynx.

In addition, there are many muscles, fascias, and nerves in this area. Therefore, with an ordinary ultrasound examination, it is not possible to visualize all these structures. If deep tissue damage is suspected, an MRI scan is performed. In this case, the cervical region is scanned from several sides at once (from different angles). As a result, the doctor has the opportunity to see a three-dimensional image of the internal organs located in this anatomical region.

The following indications for MRI are distinguished:

1. Cervical hernia. This disease is quite common. If the hernia is not diagnosed in time, serious consequences may develop. Among them - compression of the spinal cord, blood vessels. Ischemia of veins and arteries leads to "oxygen starvation." As a result, acute or chronic cerebrovascular accident develops.
2. Anomalies in the structure of organs located in the neck.
3. Neoplasms.
4. Traumatic changes in the cervical spine and blood vessels.
5. Stenosis of arteries and veins.
6. Narrowing of the spinal canal containing cerebrospinal fluid.
7. Pathology of the vascular system: the appearance in the lumen of blood clots, atherosclerotic plaques.
8. A change in the structure of bone tissue that develops with osteochondrosis, ankylosing spondylitis.

MRI of the neck lymph nodes: technique

In the cervical region there are many lymphatic vessels and nodes. Thanks to them, lymph is drained from internal organs, muscles, fatty tissue and skin. In addition to groups of regional lymph nodes (anterior and posterior cervical, parotid), these formations are also found in the thickness of soft tissues.

There are many pathological conditions in which these anatomical structures are affected. Often, if such diseases are suspected, MRI of the lymph nodes of the neck is prescribed. What does this instrumental study show?

Thanks to magnetic resonance imaging, you can consider all groups of lymph nodes in the cervical region. The images visualize such violations as an increase, a change in the shape, density of these organs. As a result of the examination, it is possible to diagnose the inflammatory process - lymphadenitis, oncological pathologies, immunodeficiency states. If there is a change in the MRI, a puncture or biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck vessels

To examine arteries and veins in detail, MRI of the vessels of the neck is prescribed. What does this diagnostic procedure show? Vascular changes may be different.

In adulthood, narrowing of the lumen of the veins and arteries is often observed. These changes lead to the development of discirculatory encephalopathy, stroke. Given the considerable cost of the procedure, patients often ask: what is an MRI of the neck arteries for, what does this study show? It is important to explain to the person the purpose of this diagnostic method, and also to talk about the complications that may develop with untimely treatment. The following indications for MRI of the cervical vessels are distinguished:

1. Benign neoplasms of arteries or veins.
2. Anomalies of the structure.
3. Vascular stenosis.
4. Oncological formations - angiosarcomas.
5. Obliteration of the lumen of arteries or veins.

Such changes can only be seen with the help of magnetic resonance imaging. Compared with angiography of neck vessels, MRI is safer and more informative. Indeed, with tomography, other organs located in this anatomical region are also visualized.

Contraindications for MRI

Regardless of what the neck MRI shows, and for what purpose it was prescribed, it is necessary to take into account the presence of contraindications for tomography. These include the following conditions:

1. Pregnancy. Since the study is accompanied by irradiation of the body, it can not be performed by women who are "in position".
2. Breast-feeding. When the patient is placed in an electromagnetic field, the entire body is irradiated, including the mammary glands. Therefore, this diagnostic method is not recommended during lactation.
3. Decompensated heart failure, severe rhythm disturbances.
4. The presence of metal prostheses that cannot be disconnected during the study.
5. Claustrophobia, convulsive syndrome. These contraindications are relative, since in case of acute need for this procedure, patients are prescribed sedatives. If tomography can be replaced by another method of examination, then it is advisable to do this.
6. The presence of a pacemaker, vascular stenting.

What shows an MRI of the neck: results

Magnetic resonance imaging is a study that allows you to get a three-dimensional layered image of an anatomical department. Thus, the question can be answered: what does the MRI of the neck show? Using this method, almost all soft tissue changes can be visualized. The images show vascular disorders, damage to the lymph nodes and organs (thyroid gland, esophagus, trachea, larynx). Also, thanks to MRI, such diseases as a hernia of the cervical spine, osteochondrosis, thrombosis, oncological pathologies, etc. are diagnosed.

Advantages of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The advantages of magnetic resonance imaging include the safety of the procedure, non-invasiveness, and the absence of pain. In addition, the advantage is that thanks to this diagnostic method, even the smallest changes in the structure of organs can be seen, because many layers (sections) of soft tissues are examined.

Doctors' reviews about cervical MRI

Given the high cost of tomography machines, they are not available in every clinic. Therefore, patients often ask the question: where to do an MRI of the neck? Tomography is performed in large hospitals, as well as in some private clinics. Reviews of doctors about this procedure are positive. All doctors note the high information content of the method.