Diseases of the spine continue to occupy a major place among all diseases of the musculoskeletal system. A variety of such lesions, a large number of different complications that require accurate and thorough diagnosis, significantly complicate the treatment. The most effective and safest ways to diagnose spinal column disease are MRI and X-ray. It is important to determine which is better - X-ray or MRI of the spine.
Description of defeat
The mechanisms of activation of the destructive process in bone tissue have not yet been fully studied. But experts were able to determine that most often the development of a degenerative process is caused by problems with the production of hormones in the body, as well as improper physical stress on the body (dynamic and static).
Recently, doctors have noted a significant increase in the incidence of spinal diseases. It should be noted that degenerative processes of varying severity were identified in more than 90 percent of the population aged 15 to 50 years. An effective and high-quality treatment will be selected by the attending specialist after carrying out diagnostic measures.
Modern medicine offers patients x-ray examination methods and magnetic resonance imaging. To determine which is better - x-ray or MRI of the spine, a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the proposed examination methods should be carried out.
How to choose a research method
Despite the large amount of information obtained from the use of the two considered diagnostic methods, their principle of exposure to the body is significantly different. Many patients ask which is better - MRI or X-ray of the spine. The differences in the method of obtaining the required information are determined by the choice of a diagnostic method in order to make an accurate diagnosis of spinal disease, as well as related spinal cord disease. Below is a photo of the MRI of the spine. X-ray or MRI is better? There is no single answer to this question.
It is very important to determine exactly which method is appropriate in a particular situation. The assessment of the physiological state of the spine in a patient (including the activity of its motor segments), spinal cord, and nerve endings will depend on it. It is important to remember that in women and men of different ages, the work of the spine is very different, which complicates the accuracy of the diagnosis.
Quite often, in order to obtain complete information about the work of the spine and its structures, all types of examinations are performed sequentially. But it is important to remember that such a method of research will be justified only if one type of diagnosis did not help to accurately determine the disease.
Research Areas
What is better to do - X-ray or MRI of the cervical spine? Experts identify several main areas of the survey, each of which uses certain diagnostic methods:
- Determining the number of cases from a fixed number of healthy people. Such a study is carried out as a preventive measure. When it is used x-ray. The procedure is recommended for people at risk who have a potential threat of development or the initial stage of disease progression (people whose professional activity is associated with a sedentary lifestyle and a long sitting position).
- Damage reversibility assessment. For an accurate picture, an X-ray examination is required to help achieve a qualitative assessment of spinal deformity, as well as determine the chance of a full recovery.
- Determination of the effectiveness of therapeutic measures. Since the sensitivity of x-rays to minimal changes in bone density and the overall structure of soft tissues is low, most information can be obtained with MRI. Such a procedure helps to refine the results, which is much more useful than simple radiography.
- Definition of general functionality. The main goal of such an examination is to assess the condition of the spine and its motor activity, to determine the behavior of the muscles and adjacent organs, taking into account all the injuries and violations. The choice of the research method in this case will directly depend on the type of damage, but more complete information can be obtained by performing magnetic resonance imaging.
It is important to remember that in the first stages of the development of destructive processes in the spine, the patient does not have particularly pronounced symptoms of damage. For this reason, when seeking help with severe pain (when the disease has already led to large-scale deformations), doctors have noted the irreversibility of deformations.
The main goal of timely diagnostic measures is to slow down the development of the disease, to maintain good joint mobility and activity of the spine.
Objectives of the procedures
MRI and X-ray are used for different purposes. MRI is best used to study soft tissue. It is prescribed for:
- The study of diseases of the spinal cord and abnormalities of its development.
- The presence of a hernia.
- Tumor masses.
- Determining the source of infection and identifying the extent of its spread.
- The beginning of the inflammatory process.
- Determining the location of the pathological focus and its boundaries in soft tissues and internal organs.
X-rays are usually used for:
- Fractures of bones and dislocations of joints.
- The presence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Determining the presence of foreign bodies in the body.
X-ray
What is better to do - X-ray or MRI of the spine? Despite the fact that the result of the study by MRI or X-ray can be obtained in a separate image or as a video, the principle of the impact of such techniques differs in many factors.
To understand why such studies are very different, it is important to determine the physical basis that lies in the principle of MRI and X-ray examination.
X-ray diagnostics is based on the ability of electromagnetic rays to pass freely through the human body. In this case, a certain number of waves emerging from the x-ray device is absorbed by human tissues. The degree of absorption of the rays will directly depend on the density of the object and the strength of the beam acting on the structure.
Exposure to electromagnetic waves
The strongest intensity of the beam passing through the body is recorded on photo paper or through a digital device. As a result, on a ready-made display, you can consider the projection of organs in good quality. Shaded areas on the resulting image will speak about the state of the internal structure and the structure of the organs under study. Bone tissue, including the spine, has a particularly dense structure, which almost prevents electromagnetic radiation from passing through them. In the picture, such structures are bright spots and contours.
If we imagine the electromagnetic waves coming from the X-ray equipment in the form of a strong beam of light, then the projection of the bones will be in the shadow. When using x-rays to diagnose diseases of the vertebral region, only the external contour of the bone structure can be considered. By means of an X-ray examination, certain conclusions can only be drawn about external changes in human anatomy, which are actively progressing in the bone tissue of the spine and structures located next to this organ.
Features of MRI
What is more harmful - MRI or X-ray of the spine? The operation of an MRI device is carried out by measuring with the help of a strong electromagnetic field the temporary change in the polarization of hydrogen atoms, which are found in excess in the soft tissues of the body. The return of hydrogen ions to the front state when the magnets are turned off provokes a strong emission of energy, which is recorded on a computer tomograph and undergoes thorough computer processing.
The concentration of hydrogen helps to determine the state of the density of the structure and to obtain a high-quality image of the examined internal organ. Unlike X-rays, an MRI signal does not project the contour of the bone component, but translates the image of the soft tissues themselves, which are located inside (the spinal canal and spinal cord), as well as near the spine.
The contrast between the rich in hydrogen ions around the vertebral tissues and the low level of hydrogen in the bones helps to achieve the most clear and high-quality display of all the main structures of the spinal column. By means of MRI, you can get a good picture of the entire spine, establish pathology and developing diseases, prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
What is the difference between MRI and X-ray of the spine? It should be noted that the main distinguishing feature of MRI from X-ray is the ability to accurately assess not only the external changes occurring in the structure of the intervertebral discs, but also the internal ones.
Comparative characteristics
Which is better - X-ray or MRI of the spine? The main advantage of MRI before radiography is the receipt of more information. The number of data obtained with MRI exceeds even the invasive methods of investigation. The main advantages of MR imaging also include its complete safety for the human body, which helps to conduct it many times. Also, such a procedure is allowed after any radiographic examination. How much exposure is from MRI of the spine and x-ray? From MRI, the radiation level will be zero, and from X-ray - from 0.08 to 0.7 m3v per procedure.
MRI is prescribed when it is necessary to determine the state of nerve endings, the presence of infection, to determine more precisely the location of the pathology.
An x-ray is performed to determine a violation of the integrity of the spine (for example, with injuries), the presence of hematomas, tumors.
Pros and Cons of MRI
What is the difference between MRI and X-ray of the spine? Unlike x-rays, MRI of the desired part of the body helps:
- Take pictures of large areas of the spinal column.
- Perform an examination of the spinal cord (to determine the extent of spread and localization of the tumor formation, including vascular changes).
- Examine the spinal canal, paravertebral tissues, joints and intervertebral discs.
To get the maximum information that is enough to assess the condition of the spine, the images should be taken in several projections at once: 0 axial and SA sagittal (across and along).
With this procedure, it is possible to obtain a large and clear image, as well as to determine even the initial symptoms of the development of a degenerative process in the vertebral discs that affect the cartilage plates, the fibrous ring and the pulpous nucleus.
Such a procedure is also appreciated by treating specialists and patients for its minimal list of contraindications (claustrophobia, the presence of pacemakers and metal implants installed in the body). Not everyone can stand it. For example, MRI of the spine is difficult for young children.
The cost of MRI, which is significantly higher than X-rays, is also considered by some patients as a drawback of the procedure.
Pros and Cons of X-Ray
What is the difference between X-ray and MRI of the spine? What can be seen with the help of an x-ray, we examined above. To obtain the most accurate image, an x-ray must be carried out immediately in three projections (front-back, side and at an angle of 30 degrees). Sometimes destructive processes occurring in the spine cannot be determined at all. In this condition, functional images are prescribed, which are performed after the patient adopts a pose that helps to ensure maximum flexion and extension of the limbs. Of course, such a number of images increases the radiation dose of the person being examined.
The advantages of X-ray include the fact that an accompanying person can be near the person being examined (for example, a child), who will help him not to move while the diagnostic process is ongoing. It usually takes a few seconds.
Conclusion
When asked what is better - x-ray or MRI, there is no definite answer. The choice of research method depends on its purpose. In some diseases and conditions of the patient, doctors prescribe an X-ray, and in others, an MRI.