What do you see on a chest MRI? MRI of the thoracic spine - features of the study

Pain in the spine quite often disrupts the usual rhythm of life. If you are constantly putting off important things, vacations with your family or walking for this reason, you need to carefully review your lifestyle and give up all bad habits. If this procedure did not help in any way to correct the situation, it's time to turn to a competent MRI diagnostician and identify the cause of the problem.

The principle of operation of the MRI machine

With the help of magnetic fields, it is possible to obtain images of layer-by-layer sections of organs and tissues of the entire human body. The study is carried out using a special diagnostic apparatus that generates a strong magnetic field, in response to which the cells themselves produce electromagnetic radiation. The result is a dynamic picture of the study on the monitor screen.

An MRI tomograph is a completely unique machine that allows you to quickly and efficiently localize a variety of pathologies, find out their degree and scale. In terms of detail, it significantly exceeds the capabilities of ultrasound diagnostics, computed tomography and X-ray examination. It helps to find tumor cells, look at fractures or dislocations, and clarify the localization of genetic pathology.

The equipment works on the principle of nuclear magnetic resonance: a powerful magnetic field is created that affects the chemical structures of human tissues, the atomic particles of which are called protons. The device maintains a stable constancy of the force field in the body. It allows you to:

stimulate cells with different frequency radio waves;
stop these waves and register all the radiation of the body;
process the signals and digitize them as an image on a screen or film.

Features of the study of the spine

If you are going to go for spine diagnostics, you should take into account some features of the procedure.

All contraindications that may interfere with the implementation of the study are divided into absolute and relative prohibitions. With relative ones, it is possible to conduct an MRI with some restrictions.

Absolute prohibitions	Relative prohibitions
Tattoos with metallic ink particles	Weight over 140 kilograms
Acute infectious diseases with fever	Panic fear of closed spaces
Stimulants of cardiac activity	Metal-ceramic dentures (except titanium)
Unrecoverable metal shards	epileptic seizures
Metal-containing prostheses	Schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis
Metal valves	Acute form of cardiopulmonary insufficiency
Clamps on the vessels of the brain	Pregnancy

Types of back examination:

In difficult cases, doctors use the introduction of a contrast agent into the human body. With its help, you can get an extended and clear picture of changes in the organs. The affected parts of the vascular bed, tumors and aneurysms accumulate contrast better, so they are perfectly visible on the developed images.

MRI of the thoracic and lumbar areas of the back is performed without special administration of a contrast agent and accompanying preparation. All you need is a doctor's appointment or your own desire to undergo the procedure. Be sure to consult with specialists and choose the most convenient clinics for yourself, where the examination is done with high quality and only by professionals in the field of MR diagnostics.

Indications for examination

The main indications for the study of the spine with magnetic fields:

Preparation for diagnostics and its implementation

If you are afraid that you will behave incorrectly and somehow disrupt the course of the procedure, you should remember a few simple rules that will help you orient yourself before the examination:

remove all metal things and jewelry from yourself, up to the piercing;
mobile phones, players, watches and tablets are not allowed to be brought near the device;
if you feel anxious, take one sedative tablet;
A light meal before the study does not hurt.

After you enter the office, you will be asked to remove jewelry, clothing with metal elements and leave excess items in the locker room. Then you will put on a disposable shirt and go to the room with the apparatus.

The doctor should take away old pictures or other test results from you. At the same time, specialists will ask for an anamnesis of the disease: its duration, intensity, and previous therapeutic measures.

Next, you will be placed in the machine itself to take an MRI of the thoracic spine. Do not be afraid: the equipment resembles a bed, but with one single difference - it can be closed from above. This can make unprepared people feel claustrophobic, but there are specially designed devices with an open wall for this: so you can see everything that happens outside.

After the patient is placed in the unit, the doctor checks the connection with him: an indicator is placed on the chest, when pressed, the signal is activated. This way you can let them know that you are not feeling well. In order not to go deaf from the sound of the car, you will receive special earplugs. As soon as the preparations are completed, the doctors turn on the apparatus, and you are placed inside for twenty minutes. Be sure to lie still so as not to distort the results of the procedure.

The result of the diagnosis is several pictures of the thoracic region of the spinal column. You can pick them up both in a printed version and in the form of records on a disk or flash card. The study will show which parts of the spine are affected. How long it will take to make a description, you will be told directly at the doctor's office. After receiving these results, you can already contact your treating specialist and, if necessary, sign up for an operation.

What will an MRI of the lumbar and thoracic regions show?

The interpretation of the received images is carried out by a doctor of a diagnostic profile, otherwise referred to as a radiologist. In the pictures, you can usually see the structural features of the thoracic region. The study shows the presence or absence of such pathologies:

Benefits of MRI:

speed of implementation;
optimal price-quality ratio;
harmlessness;
universality;
availability;
high diagnostic value;
the presence of both open and closed devices;
good image resolution.

How much does a tomography cost?

In different cities of Russia, the cost can vary significantly. The pricing policy depends on the level of the clinic or medical center, the qualifications of the doctor who conducts the diagnosis, and the actual scope of the study. To remove three sections of the spine will cost an order of magnitude more expensive than to perform an MRI of only the lumbar or thoracic. It is worth comparing prices in several medical organizations at once.

Magnetic resonance imaging is a quick and affordable way to find the cause of pain in different parts of the spine. Diagnosis is quite new and is carried out only according to the indications of your doctor. You can also sign up for this procedure yourself at your own expense, which will save a lot of time. The cost may vary in different regions of the country.

One of the five sections of the spine - the thoracic, consists of 12 vertebrae. Normally, this section is inactive, since it is the basis of the chest, to which the ribs are attached. The formation of the chest - a protective frame for the heart, lungs, esophagus and thymus, participation in the respiratory process, protection of the spinal cord - the main functions of this part of the spinal column in addition to supporting and cushioning. In this regard, the pathology of the thoracic spine must be identified and eliminated as early as possible, preventing complications and transition to the chronic stage.

An examination of the spine, on a magnetic resonance tomograph, is the safest and most informative type of diagnosis, even in the early stages of deviation from the norm. Tomography of the thoracic region is a popular procedure, which can be referred by vertebrologists, neurologists, orthopedic traumatologists and doctors of other specialties.

Indications for referral for examination

The doctor may suggest an MRI for the following established pathologies or their symptoms:

swelling of the face and neck;
stiffness of the muscles of the chest;
pain between the shoulder blades;
pain in the back along the vertebrae of the department;
occasional cough and shortness of breath;
numbness, "goosebumps" in the chest, back, arms, fingers;
pains of various localization and nature (aching, sharp, such as "lumbago") in the area of the costal arches and the spinal column;
pain in the region of the heart that is not caused by cardiac pathology;
violation of sensitivity;
injuries of the thoracic spine, ribs;
intervertebral hernias.

Magnetic resonance imaging is also carried out in the pre- and postoperative period. In the first case - to clarify the localization, area and depth of penetration of pathological processes and draw up a plan of surgical intervention with an accurate determination of the optimal access to the site of the lesion, in the second - to control the treatment process or the rehabilitation period and correct prescriptions if necessary.

Magnetic resonance imaging using a contrast agent is prescribed for the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign tumors.

Contraindications for the procedure are minimal:

the presence of a pacemaker;
electronic or ferromagnetic implants;
pregnancy in the first trimester.

MRI of the thoracic spine - what shows

Magnetic resonance imaging allows you to determine the correspondence of clinical symptoms to real pathology and accurately identify:

the presence and size of protrusions and hernias of the intervertebral discs;
violations of the structure of the skeleton and soft tissues;
the presence and degree of its complexity (degree of damage to the bone marrow due to: bruise, concussion);
tumors (with the definition of their good quality or malignancy) of the spinal cord, spinal canal, cartilage tissue and metastases;
circulatory pathology of the spinal cord (using harmless contrast - gadolinium);
hematomyelia - bleeding in the spinal cord;
localization and stage of development of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region;
intercostal neuralgia;
stenosis - narrowing of the spinal canal and openings of the spinal nerves;
thickening of the spinal cord;
encephalomyelitis;
osteomyelitis;
spondylitis;
tuberculosis;
ankylosing spondylitis;
abscess and cysts of the spinal cord.

A far from complete list of what is seen on MRI is presented, since this method of hardware examination allows diagnosing any inflammatory, tumor, traumatic and degenerative-dystrophic diseases of this part of the spinal column.

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Study time: about 15 minutes with contrast for 25 minutes.

Preparation for the study: no, with contrast on an empty stomach or 5-6 hours after a meal.

Contraindications: There is.

Restrictions: weight up to 155 kg, maximum volume up to 140 cm.

Time for preparing a medical opinion: 10-60 minutes.

Chest pain, respiratory failure, shortness of breath or cough can be not only signs of, for example, allergies or colds, but also talk about possible serious diseases of the spine in the chest area. Drawing pains in the legs of an unclear nature can also be caused by the presence of protrusions or hernias in the thoracic region, and not in the lumbar region, as it might seem at first. It is important not to start the disease and treat it in time. The European Diagnostic Center recommends MRI of the thoracic spine, because this is the best way to diagnose various diseases.

Anatomy of the thoracic spine

The thoracic spine plays an important role not only in the aesthetically pleasing appearance of a person, it has a very high functional value and allows you to lead a normal life.

The thoracic region is a group of 12 small bones that form the vertebral ridge in the upper body. They help support the weight of the upper body and protect the spinal cord, which runs through the spinal canal.

Usually, pathologies in this area are quite rare. at least compared to the cervical or lumbar regions. But even in these cases it is very important not to miss the moment of the development of the disease in order to stop it in time.

Main reasons dissemination diseases in the chest spine there may be too much physical activity or, conversely, a fixed image.

Among these diseases:

Adult kyphosis and Scheuermann's kyphosis - arcuate curvature of the thoracic region;

Hernia of the intervertebral disc of the thoracic region, accompanied by pain and capable of causing complete paralysis;

Infectious diseases;

Tumors.

Features of MRI of the thoracic region

Magnetic resonance imaging is used to detect abnormalities in the thoracic region. Thanks to a powerful 1.5 Tesla tomograph it is possible to obtain a large number of sections of the examined area in the form of highly informative images. With the help of the procedure, it is possible to build a three-dimensional model of the spine, to examine the vessels located next to it, which allows the doctor to assess the complete picture of the patient's condition.

Tomography is carried out in places of damage to the thoracic region in three projections - sagittal, frontal and axial, which helps to determine the exact localization of pathology. As a result of the procedure, images T1 and T2 of the weighted type are obtained.

Sections are performed in a position parallel to the thoracic spine, with an optimal thickness of 4 mm and an interslice space of 0.5-1 mm. They display the entire thoracic region from its anterior wall to the posterior wall. Sections of the intervertebral discs are performed in a position perpendicular to the axis of the spine.

If a neoplasm is suspected benign or malignant mandatory use of a safe contrast medium, which increases the efficiency of diagnostics and at the same time does not harm human health. High-quality preparation Omniscan (Omniscan®) or Gadovist® (Gadovist®) is used as a contrast agent.

What does a chest MRI reveal?

MRI is a modern and, most importantly, safe diagnostic method. It allows you to very accurately determine the nature of the pathologies in this area and begin their effective treatment.

MRI of the thoracic region can diagnose:

Bechterew's disease (inflammatory processes in the spine and joints);

spinal dystrophy;

Multiple sclerosis;

Benign and malignant tumors;

Vascular malformations;

Protrusion or hernia;

Thanks to the use of powerful magnets and the use of sensitive matrices for data collection, tomography makes it possible to obtain informative high-resolution images. This contributes to obtaining detailed detail of the affected areas.

The resulting images reflect the degree of degeneration of the thoracic vertebrae, the development of a hernia, and disc protrusion. MRI of the thoracic region is performed to examine the spinal canal at the level of the chest and diagnose various pathologies, which contributes to the correct further diagnosis by a neurologist.

Indications for thoracic MRI

The procedure is prescribed when the patient has complaints about:

Periodic pain in the chest;

Swelling of the face and neck;

Persistent headaches and dizziness;

Pain between the shoulder blades;

Numbness of shoulders and arms;

Weakness and numbness in the legs;

Intermittent cough and shortness of breath;

The severity of movements.

Features of preparation for MRI of the thoracic region

The procedure does not require special preparation and can be performed at any time of the day (an exception is MRI with contrast, which must be performed on an empty stomach in the morning). It is better that the clothes are comfortable, comfortable and do not squeeze anything.

Before visiting the medical center for an examination, it is advisable to take with you an extract, pictures of previous examinations on a CD, if any, and a referral from a doctor.

Contraindications for thoracic MRI

Diagnostics cannot be carried out when:

The presence of a pacemaker, the Elizarov apparatus, prosthetic heart valves;

Installed metal or ferromagnetic implants;

Magnetic metal dentures;

High body weight (above 160 kg);

Heart failure in severe forms;

Allergies to components of the contrast agent.

How is a chest MRI procedure performed?

The examination is carried out in a well-lit and ventilated tomograph, which ensures patient comfort. Often, to help the patient not to move, straps fix his body. MRI of the thoracic region occurs when the person is lying down. After the tomograph couch enters the annular part of the apparatus, the gradients begin to rotate around the area under study, very often patients often feel a slight warmth in the chest. Usually this does not cause discomfort, but if the patient cannot tolerate these sensations, it is possible to stop the procedure by pressing the SOS button.

cost of chest MRI

The MRI procedure is quite expensive, so it is important to find a place in Moscow where you can get an examination without harming the family budget. It is always possible to pass an MRI examination at a low price and next to the metro at the European MRI Diagnostic Center. The price of MRI of the thoracic region in the EDC includes:

MRI of the thoracic spine on an expert-class device with a magnetic field strength of 1.5 Tesla from the recognized leader in MRI technology - General Electric;

A complete package of quality images in three projections (including additional STIR and FATSAT protocols);

CD containing all images of the study in a format intended for viewing on a regular computer and printing images in high resolution;

MRI of the thoracic spine or organs is a diagnostic measure that allows you to determine morphological changes in tissues, degenerative-inflammatory processes, as well as a number of diseases.

With its help, you can establish and differentiate the diagnosis, as well as prescribe the optimal type of therapy. This is the safest method for examining health for the patient's body, since it is carried out without the use of x-rays.

MRI of the chest is the most informative way to diagnose diseases associated with the spine and organs of the thoracic region (lungs, heart, blood vessels, trachea, etc.).

It can be used to examine both bone and soft tissues. However, this procedure is most often used to examine the spine: vertebral bodies, spinal cord, roots and intervertebral discs.

Indications for carrying out

MRI of the thoracic spine is prescribed in the following cases:

suspicion of osteochondrosis (at any stage of the disease);
with suspicion of fractures, with injuries and bruises of the spinal column (even if the x-ray did not reveal pathologies);
with suspicion of hernia or intervertebral protrusion;
in the presence or suspicion of tumor-like neoplasms;
if you suspect the presence of metastases arising from a primary oncological disease;
with defects in the structure of the spinal column, circulatory disorders;
if you suspect multiple sclerosis or encephalomyelitis (chest MRI is the only diagnostic method that shows these pathologies);
with Bechterew's disease;
making such diagnoses as osteomyelitis, spondylitis and other necrotic diseases;
in the presence of vascular anomalies (arterial and venous);
control over the condition of the spine after surgery;
examination of the spine and soft tissues before surgery.

Organ diagnostics

If the diagnosis of the chest organs is carried out, then the heart, lungs, trachea, vascular system, etc. are subject to examination. A similar procedure shows the condition of the heart valves, its anatomical structure, blood flow and lymph flow.

If there is a study of the respiratory system, then the lungs are evaluated: the morphological structure of the tissues, the size of the organ, the condition of the pleura. At the same time, inflammatory and degenerative processes in organs, metastases, tumor-like formations of various etiologies, etc. can be detected.

MRI of the thoracic spine is the most informative procedure. To improve the quality of volumetric images, a contrast agent is often introduced, which stains healthy and damaged areas of the thoracic spine with different colors.

Key benefits of the procedure

Diagnostics using the magnetic resonance method has its advantages over other methods of examination (CT of the thoracic region, ultrasound or x-ray). Such benefits include:

High data accuracy. Sometimes chest MRI is the only way to establish or differentiate the diagnosis. MRI images are 3D, making it easier to select the optimal therapy.
No need to inject contrast agents. Magnetic resonance imaging can show pathologies without the use of contrast. Contrast agents can be additionally administered (when examining the liver, brain, etc.), but this is not a prerequisite for the procedure (unlike chest CT).
Informativeness. With the help of MRI, both bone tissues (mainly the spine and ribs) and soft tissues are examined (in this case, you can see the state of the heart, lungs, blood vessels, etc.).
Method safety. MRI of the chest organs takes place without the use of X-rays, which are unsafe for the body, diagnosis is carried out by exposing the patient to a magnetic field.
Painlessness. The procedure is painless and fast (diagnosis time takes an average of 30-40 minutes).

The main contraindications to the appointment

Chest MRI has one significant drawback - the procedure is not prescribed for patients who have metal and electrical implants in the body (for example, pacemakers, implants in the middle ear, etc.). This is due to the influence of a magnetic field on the body, which can damage the device (this problem does not occur with CT of the thoracic spine).

Other contraindications to the procedure include:

overweight (the scanner is able to withstand up to 150 kg of weight);
the presence of mental illness that does not allow you to maintain one position of the body;
epilepsy, claustrophobia, panic attacks;
the presence of tattoos with paints containing metal particles;
pregnancy (this contraindication is relative, since there is no reliable data on the negative impact of chest MRI on the fetus).

Types of procedure

MRI of the thoracic spine is performed in two ways:

using a contrast agent;
without using contrast.

The use of contrast agents is optional, but it improves image fidelity and increases the chance of correct diagnosis and appropriate therapy.

The procedure for conducting magnetic resonance imaging

The duration of diagnostics on MRI is from 30 to 60 minutes. The procedure includes two stages: preparation of the patient for examination and direct examination. The principle of the study includes the following steps:

Preparing the patient for the procedure. At the same time, all metal objects, removable electrical devices such as prostheses, hearing aids, etc. are removed. – such a measure is not required when performing a CT scan of the thoracic region.
Fixing the patient with rollers and straps on the couch (to maintain immobility).
Immersion of the patient in the tomograph and exposure to a magnetic field.

The tomograph capsule has a means of communication with technologists, a fan and lighting, so the procedure is as comfortable as possible.

How is an MRI performed? (video)

An alternative to MRI is diagnostics on a CT scanner

CT scan of the thoracic spine (computed tomography) - is prescribed when it is impossible to conduct magnetic resonance imaging. The CT procedure involves the detection of pathologies in the spine and chest organs using X-ray irradiation, so the method is not as safe as MRI.

In addition, a prerequisite for the examination is the introduction of contrast agents - MRI of the thoracic spine does not require such manipulations.

The advantage of CT of the thoracic region is the ability to perform the procedure for people who have electrical and metal implants. This is due to the fact that the method is based on the use of X-rays, which do not react to metal devices. The disadvantage of CT of the thoracic spine or organs lies in the lower information content of the procedure compared to MRI.

MRI of the thoracic spine shows inflammatory, tumor, traumatic and degenerative-dystrophic diseases. The method is considered one of the most reliable diagnostic methods.

Humanity owes its discovery to scientists at Harvard and Stanford Universities, who in 1946 found out that hydrogen atoms, under the influence of a magnetic field, absorb energy and emit it in the form of a radio signal. It is registered by the receiver, which makes it possible to form an image of tissues on the monitor screen. For this discovery, Parcel and Bloch were awarded the Nobel Prize. Determination of NMR signals proved to be so effective that the technique has spread throughout the world. The cost of the equipment is quite expensive, so a large medical center can afford it.

NMR spectroscopy, as an independent diagnostic method, appeared in 1973, when it was proved that it was possible to obtain images using tubes filled with water - NMR tomography.

For the first time, MRI of the thoracic spine was presented at the Paris Radiological Exhibition in 1982. Since then, magnetic resonance imaging has been actively used to diagnose diseases.

MRI of the thoracic spine: what shows

MRI of the thoracic region shows many anatomical structures that are saturated with hydrogen.

How to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging of the spine:

Analysis of the size and shape of the spinal cord, spine. Normally, the spinal cord has even contours and dimensions, is located in the middle (T1-weighted images);
Assessment of the subarachnoid space on T2-weighted images. In the presence of the "crescent" and "linear strip" syndrome, there is a high probability of hemorrhage in the spinal cord;
MRI of the thoracic region does not have landmarks by which radiologists determine the localization of the pathology. The most accurate reference point for determining the topography of the pathological process of the spine is the level of C2 and L5 (the second and fifth cervical vertebrae);
Analysis of the width of the spinal cord. If it is enlarged, an intramedullary tumor is possible;
Determination of calcifications (deposition of calcium salts) and petrifications in soft tissues;
Detection of cystic formations using myelography (contrast injection into the subarachnoid space).

How to do an MRI of the lumbar spine

MRI shows non-tumor cysts of the thoracic spinal cord without invasive techniques (puncture of the subarachnoid space) in the presence of the following signs: smooth and even contours, the presence of "synechia" (constrictions), low signal intensity from cystic cavities filled with CSF. On T2-weighted images, turbulent movement of the internal contents of the cyst can be detected, as well as the absence of contrast walls in malformation and syringomyelia.

With focal increases in the radio signal along the thoracic spine on T2-weighted images, it is necessary to differentiate between ischemic disorders and intramedullary tumor. A similar MRI picture shows a plaque of the spine in multiple sclerosis, acute encephalitis, tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis. Additionally, these types of pathology can be diagnosed by the introduction of a contrast agent.

Thickened spinal cord on MRI

If the spinal cord is thickened on an MRI of the thoracic region, radiologists will imply that a person has:

Ischemic changes;
transverse myelitis;
Post-traumatic deformity.

With the help of magnetic resonance imaging, it is possible to distinguish between meningioma and neurinoma - types of tumors of the nervous system.

How MRI shows a neuroma:

Posterior-lateral arrangement;
Hyperostosis and petrifications do not occur;
It is shaped like an hourglass.

How NMR spectroscopy shows meningioma:

Rear localization;
The presence of hyperostosis and petrifications;
Contrasting adjacent tissues next to the tumor.

Neurinomas are characterized by small size, located along the spinal canal. On T2-weighted tomograms, the homogeneous nature of the signal in neurinoma is clearly defined. Meningioma is large and spreads along the entire spine.

Multiple lesions of the spinal column are observed in the metastatic process. The radiologist has to differentiate these MRI symptoms with lymphogranulomatosis and myeloma. It is possible to determine the pathology of the thoracic spine using magnetic resonance imaging if the size of the formations is more than 2 mm, when they consist of cells filled with water.