MRI Whole Spine Screening

What the scan checks in a single session

• Alignment of all 33 vertebrae from neck to tailbone
• Inter-vertebral discs for dehydration, bulge, or herniation
• Spinal cord for signal changes or compression
• Surrounding soft tissue, ligaments, and bone marrow for hidden lesions

Advantages over separate regional MRIs

• One booking replaces three individual cervical, dorsal, and lumbar scans
• Lower overall cost (around 30 % savings)
• Consistent positioning for better comparison
• Single exposure is ideal for claustrophobic patients

• Vertebral alignment & height
• Disc hydration and protrusion
• Cord signal changes (myelomalacia, plaques)
• Facet joints & ligament integrity
• Soft-tissue & marrow lesions (tumour, abscess, TB)

• One-stop evaluation of entire vertebral column
• Early detection of cancer, infection, or autoimmune diseases
• Pre-surgical mapping for orthopaedic or neurosurgeons
• Medico-legal documentation after trauma

• Zero radiation—safe for children and pregnant patients when essential
• Non-invasive—just lie still for 25 minutes
• Multi-planar, high-resolution images—3 mm slice thickness
• Same-day radiologist report at Cadabams Diagnostics
• Digital copy sent to your phone within 2 hours

• Disc herniation & spinal stenosis
• Vertebral metastases and primary bone tumours
• Multiple sclerosis plaques in the cord
• Spinal infections (TB, bacterial abscess)
• Congenital anomalies (tethered cord, syrinx)

Basic instructions

• Fasting not required—eat and drink normally
• Remove all metal objects: jewellery, belts, cards with chips
• Wear cotton clothing or change into our gown

Best time to take

• Any weekday or weekend
• During active symptoms (pain, numbness) for maximum diagnostic yield

Eligibility

• All ages—from paediatric to geriatric
• Pregnancy: discussed case-by-case; usually deferred to 2nd trimester if non-urgent

1. Check-in at front desk with ID and doctor’s prescription
2. Fill MRI safety screening form
3. Change into gown and lock valuables in secure locker
4. Lie supine on MRI table; coils placed around torso
5. Scan duration: 22–28 minutes; headphone music available
6. Optional gadolinium contrast injection if ordered (adds 5 min)

• Inform staff about any implants, tattoos, or prior spinal surgery
• Claustrophobia? Ask for oral sedation (10 mg diazepam) 30 min prior
• Kidney issues? Creatinine checked if contrast is planned

Contraindications

• Cardiac pacemaker or ICD (unless MRI-conditional)
• Cochlear implants
• Recent metallic eye injury
• Severe claustrophobia (sedation options available)

Limitations

• Very early inflammation may not show up until 48–72 hrs
• Motion artefacts from coughing or tremors can blur images