The radiologist and common cervicobrachial neuralgia

The neuroradiological methods used for the diagnosis of common cervicobrachial neuralgia are not the same in all medical centres and hospitals, one of the main reasons for this lack of unanimity being differences in organization and availability of equipment. However, the modern diagnostic approach should include magnetic resonance as first examination. MRI is the most informative and the least hazardous of all exploratory methods, and it detects or excludes a much greater number of causes than any other radiological technique. False-negative results, as well as late, incomplete or wrong diagnosis are therefore reduced to the minimum. False-positive results can be avoided by a good knowledge of the physiological incidence of uncodiscarthrosis with age.