Indications for MRI Examinations
| Clinical Presentation |
MR |
X-ray |
| Spine and Spinal Cord |
| Disc Herniation |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Recurrent Disc vs Post Operative Scar |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Degenerative Disc Disease (DJD) |
Very Sensitive (CT, X-ray) |
Adjunctive |
| Radiculopathy |
Procedure of Choice |
Adjunctive |
| Myelopathy |
Procedure of Choice |
Adjunctive |
| Multiple Sclerosis |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Arnold Chiari Malformation |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Syringomyelia |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Spinal Metastasis, Multiple Myeloma |
Very Sensitive (CT, BS) |
Insensitive in early disease |
| Infections |
Very Sensitive (CT, BS) |
Insensitive in early disease |
| Cord Tumors and "drop" metastases |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Extremities (Knee Shoulder Wrist Ankle) |
| Avascular Necrosis |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive in early disease |
| Cruciate Ligament Tears |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Meniscal Tears |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Osteochondritis Dessicans |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive in early disease |
| Post Trauma |
Very Sensitive (CT, X-ray) |
Procedure of Choice |
| Chondromalacia Patella |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive in early disease |
| Rotator Cuff Tear |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Glenoid Labrum Tear |
Sensitive (CT, arthrogram) |
Insensitive |
| Tendonitis |
Very Sensitive |
Insensitive |
| Joint Effusions |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Cartilage degeneration (DJD) |
Very Sensitive (CT, X-ray) |
Insensitive in early disease |
| Infection, Osteomyelitis |
Very Sensitive (CT, BS) |
Insensitive in early disease |
| Tumor, Multiple Myeloma, Metastasis |
Very Sensitive (CT, BS) |
Insensitive in early disease |
| Brain |
| Malignancy Primary/Metastasis |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Infections |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Chronic Headaches |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Infarction |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Aneurysms |
Very Sensitive (CT, Angio) |
Insensitive |
| Hematoma, Hemorrhage |
Very Sensitive (CT, Angio) |
Insensitive |
| Congenital Anomalies |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
| Pituitary Lesions, Tumor, Empty Sella |
Procedure of Choice |
Insensitive |
* CT = computerized tomography
* BS = radionuclide bone scan
Copyright Ian D. McLean. D.C., D.A.C.B.R.
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