What does the MRI of the neck show? MRI of lymph nodes, vessels and soft tissues of the neck

Diseases of the soft tissues of the body - this is one of the most common groups of pathologies. These include many different inflammatory, destructive and hyperplastic processes. Under the "soft tissues" is understood to understand all the formations that are between the bone system and the skin. The composition of this group includes fatty tissue, muscles, vessels, lymph nodes, cartilage, etc. To explore the listed tissues of the body, it is necessary to conduct various diagnostic methods. To date, one of the best methods of visualization is magnetic resonance imaging( MRI).Due to this research, diagnoses of diseases of the brain, internal organs, all soft tissues.

MRI of the cervical department: a description of the

method Which organs are most commonly examined during an MRI?The cervical region refers to one of the areas difficult to access for diagnosis. It contains a large number of vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues.

Because of the accumulation of vital organs( carotid artery, jugular vein) in this anatomical area, it is not recommended to conduct invasive diagnostic methods. X-ray examinations of the cervical department are informative only when there are violations of the bone structure( spine).

Earlier with the purpose of visualization of soft tissues only ultrasonic method of diagnostics was used. Thanks to ultrasound, many pathologies can be identified. Nevertheless, at present, it is preferable to carry out MRI of the soft tissues of the neck. What does this instrumental survey show and how does it differ?

This method is based on the electromagnetic properties of the cellular elements of the body. As you know, all living tissues have their own charge. Therefore, when the cervical region is immersed in a chamber with a magnetic field, the cells begin to become active, a resonance occurs. Due to this property, the device scans the tissues, and their images appear on the monitor in a three-dimensional image. The method is used to diagnose various pathological conditions.

MRI of the soft tissues of the neck: what does this study show?

Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck is widely used in various branches of medicine. Most often it is required for the diagnosis of cancer, surgical and endocrine diseases.

What shows the MRI of the neck, and what are the features of this method? Despite the fact that magnetic resonance imaging is more applicable to soft tissues, it allows you to visualize and bone structure. It is worth giving preference to this study when there is a suspicion of a combined defeat of the cervical organs.

Thanks to MRI, it is possible to visualize pathological changes in vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, and also muscular and connective tissue. In the pictures, there are structural abnormalities, the appearance of tumors, abnormal disposition or irregular shape of the organs. This procedure is performed by a physician of functional diagnostics. Also, this doctor makes a conclusion after the study.

Indications for MRI of the cervical department of

Some patients ask the question: why was they assigned an MRI?The cervical region is a relatively small anatomical area, nevertheless, it contains many important organs. Among them - arteries and veins, directly connected with the vessels of the brain, thyroid gland, esophagus, trachea, larynx.

In addition, in this area there are many muscles, fascias and nerves. Therefore, with an ordinary ultrasound study, it is not possible to visualize all these structures. If a deep tissue infection is suspected, an MRI is performed. The cervical area in this case is scanned immediately from several sides( at different angles).As a result, the doctor has the opportunity to see a three-dimensional image of internal organs located in a given anatomical area.

The following indications for MRI are selected:

Hernia of the cervical region. This disease occurs quite often. If the hernia is not diagnosed on time, severe consequences can develop. Among them - compression of the spinal cord, vessels. Ischemia of veins and arteries leads to "oxygen starvation."As a result, acute or chronic circulatory disturbance of the brain develops.

Anomalies in the structure of organs located in the neck.

Neoplasms.

Traumatic changes in the cervical spine and vessels.

Stenosis of arteries and veins.

Narrowing of the spinal canal containing the cerebrospinal fluid.

Pathology of the vascular system: the appearance of thrombi, atherosclerotic plaques in the lumen.

A change in the structure of bone tissue, which develops with osteochondrosis, ankylosing spondylitis.

Study of the lymph nodes of the neck with MRI: technique of carrying out

In the neck region there are a lot of lymphatic vessels and nodes. Due to them, lymph drainage from internal organs, muscles, fat and skin is carried out. In addition to groups of regional lymph nodes( anterior and posterior cervical, parotid), these formations are also found in the thickness of soft tissues.

There are many pathological conditions in which these anatomical structures are affected. Often when suspected of such diseases, MRI of the lymph nodes of the neck is prescribed. What does this instrumental study show?

Thanks to magnetic resonance imaging, you can consider all groups of lymph nodes of the cervical region. The images visualize such violations as the increase, change in shape, density of these organs. As a result of the examination it is possible to diagnose the inflammatory process - lymphadenitis, oncological pathologies, immunodeficiency states. If there is a change in MRI, a puncture or biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging of neck vessels

To examine arteries and veins in detail, MRI of neck vessels is prescribed. What does this diagnostic procedure show? Vascular changes can be different.

In adulthood, narrowing of the lumen of the veins and arteries is often observed. These changes lead to the development of discirculatory encephalopathy, stroke. Given the considerable cost of the procedure, patients often ask: what is the purpose of the MRI of the arteries of the neck, what does this study show? It is important to explain to the person the purpose of this method of diagnosis, and also to tell about the complications that can develop with untimely treatment. The following indications for MRI of the vessels of the cervical region are distinguished:

1. Benign neoplasms of arteries or veins.
2. Anomalies of the structure.
3. Vascular stenosis.
4. Oncological formations - angiosarcomas.
5. Obliteration of the lumen of arteries or veins.

You can see such changes only with the help of magnetic resonance imaging. Compared with angiography of the vessels of the neck, MRI is more safe and informative. After all, tomography also visualizes other organs located in a given anatomical area.

Contraindications for MRI

Regardless of what the MRI of the neck shows, and for what purpose it was prescribed, it is necessary to take into account the contraindications to the CT scan. These include the following conditions:

1. Pregnancy. Since the study is accompanied by irradiation of the body, it can not be performed by women who are "in position".
2. Breastfeeding. When the patient is placed in an electromagnetic field, the entire organism, including the mammary glands, is irradiated. Therefore, this method of diagnosis is not recommended during lactation.
3. Decompensated heart failure, severe rhythm disturbances.
4. The presence of metal prostheses, which can not be detached for the duration of the study.
5. Claustrophobia, convulsive syndrome. These contraindications are relative, since with acute necessity in this procedure patients are prescribed sedatives. If the tomography can be replaced by another method of examination, then it is desirable to do this.
6. Presence of a pacemaker, stenting of vessels.

What MRI Neck Shows: Results of

Magnetic resonance imaging is a study that allows you to obtain a three-dimensional layered image of an anatomical department. So, you can answer the question: what does the MRI of the neck show? With this method, you can visualize almost all changes in soft tissue. The pictures show vascular disorders, lesions of lymph nodes and organs( thyroid, esophagus, trachea, larynx).Also, due to MRI, diseases such as cervical hernia, osteochondrosis, thrombosis, oncological pathologies, etc. are diagnosed.

Advantages of magnetic resonance imaging

Advantages of magnetic resonance imaging include the safety of the procedure, non-invasiveness, and the absence of pain. In addition, the merit is that thanks to this method of diagnostics you can see even the slightest changes in the structure of organs, because many layers( slices) of soft tissues are being studied.

Reviews of doctors about the MRI of the cervical department of

Given the high cost of the devices for tomography, they are not available in every clinic. Therefore, patients often ask: where to make an MRI of the neck? Tomography is performed in large hospitals, as well as in some private clinics. The doctors' comments on this procedure are positive. All doctors note the high information value of the method.