What Is a Neck MRI?

Neck MRI is an MRI scan of the neck and the periphery of the neck to diagnose neck lesions.

Name: Neck MRI

category: Magnetic resonance imaging

Normal neck MRI

Subcutaneous fat and bone marrow showed high signals on T1WI, T2WI, and proton density images; low signals in bone cortex, air, ligaments, tendons, and fibrocartilage; moderate low signals in muscle and joint hyaline cartilage. Fluids such as intra-articular effusions, inflammation or edema, and tumor tissue are low-signal on T1WI and high-signal on T2WI. Hematomas show different intensity signals depending on the length of the bleeding time.

Under normal circumstances, no abnormal mass and cervical lymphadenopathy were found during the examination.

Clinical significance of neck MRI

The neck MRI examination is suitable for: (1) benign and malignant tumors of the neck; (2) vascular lesions of the neck; (3) cystic lesions of the neck; (4) granulomatous lesions of the neck; (5) neck Swollen lymph nodes. The anterior cervical soft tissue is rich in blood vessels. To eliminate vascular pulsation artifacts, saturation bands can be added at the proximal and distal ends respectively. For severe arterial pulsation artifacts, ECG and pulse synchronization acquisition techniques can be used. For cervical vascular lesions, 2D can be used. (3D) TOF method or PC method angiography technology, or augmented contrast agent using 3D-CE-MRA technology. People to be checked: People with sore neck and abnormal pain around the neck.

Neck MRI examination precautions

Unsuitable people: (1) Those who have artificial pacemakers and nerve stimulators are not allowed to be examined. (2) Persons with silver clips in the skull and metal foreign bodies in the eyeballs are not allowed to be examined. (3) The ECG monitor cannot enter the MRI examination room. Examination of arterial disease, heart surgery, and artificial heart valves is prohibited. (4) Various critically ill patients: such as coma after trauma or accident, irritability, arrhythmia, respiratory insufficiency, continuous blood loss, and incontinence. (5) Metal objects (such as internally fixed steel pins, etc.) at the inspection site cannot be inspected. (6) Pregnant women should be examined carefully. If you are pregnant, please inform the examining doctor.

Note before examination: fast and water for 4 hours before imaging examination, train patients to hold their breath.

Requirement during the examination: Examine and relax, and follow the doctor's instructions to carry out the examination. Please bring the medical records, X-ray films, CT films, previous MRI films and other information with the MRI room for reference.

Neck MRI examination process

Head and neck joint coil or neck phased array coil or neck surface flexible coil (depending on the scanning site). The patient was placed in a supine position with the head advanced, the head placed in a coil, the sagittal plane of the head in line with the XO plane; the line of bilateral eye fissures parallel to the ZO plane, and the temporal and ear sides were fixed to prevent movement. The center of the horizontal axis of the coil is aligned with the center of the inspection site.

Conventional imaging orientation and sequence: Nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx and thyroid are all routinely used with T1WI, T2WI horizontal axis plane, and T1WI or T2WI with coronary or sagittal plane. The normal layer thickness is 3-5mm, the spacing is 20%, and the phase encoding direction is LR direction for the cross section, AP direction for the sagittal plane, and LR direction for the coronal plane. Contrast enhancement: Contrast agent: 0.5mol / L (Gd-DTPA), 0.1mmol / Kg, 0.5-1mL / s intravenous injection. Scan sequence: T1WI scan of the lesion in cross section, coronal and sagittal planes.

Neck MRI examination related diseases

Spinous process tenderness, carotid artery stenosis, cervical cervical spondylosis, pediatric cervical fusion syndrome, posterior longitudinal ligament ossification of the cervical spine, thyroid hyoid cysts and fistulas, giant cell tumor of the maxillofacial bone, dysplasia, movement Neuron disease, carotid arteriosclerosis