A good imaging agent for revealing damage to the nerve is an MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, but above all, it's used to image soft tissues like the brain, spinal cord, and muscles. An MRI is not always likely to find damage to the nerves in all scenarios, but it can show underlying diseases that play a role with the nerve, such as a herniated disk or inflammation of nerves.
What is MRI Technology?
MRI technology employs powerful magnets and radio waves to generate images of the body's interior on cross-section, including soft tissues such as the brain, muscles, and organs. It is a diagnostic imaging technique to identify most medical conditions since it does not involve radiation.
Can MRI Detect Nerve Damage?
MRI is very good at identifying structural changes that can affect the nerves, including:
- Herniated discs: If the soft tissue of a spine disc bulges, it could compress adjacent nerves.
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, which could compress the spinal cord or the nerve roots.
- Tumors or cysts: Abnormal growths that could compress nerves and induce pain or dysfunction.
- Infection or inflammation: Disorders such as abscesses or multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect the nervous system.
- Trauma: Spinal or head injury that may harm nerve tracts.
While MRI is wonderful at imaging such as herniated discs or tumors, MRI won't actually image nerve tissue, although it may trace out bone or muscle. Nerves themselves are usually impossible to detect on an MRI since they consist of cells whose hardness and density vary from muscles and bones. But where nerve damage has caused alterations in the surrounding tissue, e.g., inflammation, swelling, or disc bulging, an MRI can detect such alterations.
How Does MRI Help in Nerve Damage Diagnosis?
Even though nerve tissue itself cannot be easily visualized, an MRI can still show useful information that can indicate nerve injury. That is why:
- Nerve Compression and Disc Herniation: Disc herniation occurs when the soft interior of a spinal disc protrudes outward and pushes on surrounding nerves. It causes the nerve to ache, tingle, or weaken. MRI can readily see where and how big a herniation is, so doctors will know whether it is compressing on a nerve.
- Spinal Stenosis: The spinal canal is constricted, primarily due to arthritis or aging. Constriction of the spinal canal may compress the spinal cord and nerves. Spinal stenosis can be identified by an MRI, and whether it is compressing nerves, which will assist physicians in planning treatment.
- Tumors and Cysts: Abnormalities like cysts or tumors may be observed in the spine or nerves. The MRI can detect such abnormalities and measure the effect on the adjacent nerve tissue. Pain, weakness, or numbness is caused by a cyst or tumor compressing a nerve.
- Inflammation or Infection: Multiple sclerosis or infection may result in inflammation of the nervous system. Spinal cord, nerve roots, or brain inflammation that is evidence of nerve damage or another neurological disorder can be identified on an MRI.
- Traumatic Injury: On the occasion of injury, i.e., motor vehicle accident or fall, MRI can detect fractures, bleeding, or edema of the brain or spinal cord that can lead to nerve damage. MRI can detect secondary injury also, i.e., soft tissue injury or nerve compression, which can hamper nerve functioning.
Nerve Conduction Studies: An Add-On Diagnostic Technique
While MRI is a reliable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of structural nerve disorders, MRI in itself is not a nerve function measure. To determine nerve function and diagnose nerve trauma, practitioners usually turn to nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG).
- Nerve Conduction Study (NCS): The examination is employed to determine the velocity of an electrical impulse down a nerve. It may be employed for screening for the presence of nerve injury, i.e., inflammation, compression, or degeneration. NCS is particularly helpful in the diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy.
- Electromyography (EMG): EMG tests record the muscle's electrical activity when in a resting state and contracting. EMG determines whether the muscles are getting adequate nerve impulses and can identify nerve damage, including radiculopathy (nerve root damage) or neuropathy (peripheral nerve damage).
What to Expect During an MRI?
If your physician orders an MRI to examine nerve damage or associated disorders, this is what will occur during the test:
Pre-Procedure Preparation
- Your physician will describe the test and inquire about implants or conditions when you check in before the MRI. Some implants, such as pacemakers or metal clips, disrupt the MRI.
- You will be required to change into a hospital gown and take off all metal objects (jewelry, glasses, etc.) before the scan.
The MRI Procedure
- You will lie on a moving table that is moved into the MRI machine, which is a huge tube. You will have a test taken by magnets, and you need to be very still while you're taking the test to get clear pictures.
- The MRI test is mostly not painful, though the machine is going to make a tremendous loud noise, and earplugs or headphones may be offered for you to listen to help shield your ears.
- Depending on the type of MRI, a contrast dye may be injected into your vein to make the images clearer and capable of detecting issues with the nerves.
Post-Procedure
- The actual MRI scan will take around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how complex the images being taken are.
- You may resume your normal activity immediately after the test unless you had an injection of contrast dye, in which case you might need to stay under observation for a few minutes.
FAQs
Q: Can an MRI Show Nerve Compression?
A: Yes. MRI is excellent at demonstrating the compression of nerves by conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or tumors.
Q: How Long Does an MRI Take When Nerve-Related Issues Are Diagnosed?
A: It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the area of the body being scanned.
Q: Will MRI Accurately Pick Up Nerve Damage in the Brain?
A: Yes, a brain MRI will be able to detect conditions such as stroke or multiple sclerosis that led to nerve damage.
Q: Is MRI Safe for Patients with Pre-Existing Medical Implants?
A: In the majority of situations, MRIs are safe for people with some implants, but it's always best to inform your doctor beforehand to determine if there are any risks.
Q: How Accurate Is an MRI In Diagnosing Nerve-Related Problems?
A: While an MRI is excellent at showing structural issues, it will not necessarily show nerve damage clearly. But it does alert doctors to why there might be issues with nerves.
Conclusion
MRI scanners won't detect nerve damage, but it is very useful in determining why the nerve issue is present. MRI will assist physicians in determining the cause of your symptoms by detecting structural problems such as bulging discs, spinal canal narrowing, tumors, and inflammation. But to continue with the evaluation of nerve function, additional testing might be required, such as nerve conduction tests and electromyograms.
If you are suffering from symptoms of nerve damage, including numbness, tingling, weakness, or chronic pain, you will need to see your doctor. An MRI, among others, can determine the cause of your symptoms and guide you to the best treatment.
Here at Royal Medical Center, we provide state-of-the-art diagnostic tools such as MRIs to assist you in finding out what you are looking for. If you do have issues with nerves, contact us today to make an appointment and be on your way to healing.
