Normal spinal anatomy on magnetic resonance imaging

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MR imaging) has become the standard for assessing intraspinal pathology.
• It offers superior contrast resolution compared to computed tomography (CT) and CT myelography.
• This technique allows for detailed differentiation of adjacent spinal structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate normal spinal anatomy as visualized by MR imaging.
• To describe commonly employed spinal MR imaging protocols.
• To discuss frequent artifacts encountered in spinal MR imaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of established spinal MR imaging protocols.
• Analysis of MR imaging findings of normal spinal anatomy.
• Identification and categorization of common artifacts.

Main Results:

• Detailed depiction of normal spinal anatomy on MR imaging.
• Description of standard MR imaging sequences and parameters for spinal evaluation.
• Explanation of artifact types and their potential causes.

Conclusions:

• Spinal MR imaging is a versatile tool for visualizing intricate spinal anatomy.
• Understanding normal anatomy, protocols, and artifacts is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• MR imaging provides comprehensive assessment of intraspinal conditions.