From the Guidelines
An MRI of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine without contrast typically takes about 30 minutes total. This duration is based on the most recent and highest quality study, which reported a typical short protocol for a whole-body MRI examination, including the spine, taking around 30 minutes 1. The exact duration can vary depending on the MRI machine's strength, the facility's protocols, and whether additional sequences are needed.
Factors Affecting Scan Duration
- The strength of the MRI machine (1.5T vs 3T) can impact the scan time, with higher strength machines potentially reducing the time needed for certain sequences.
- Facility protocols can also influence the duration, as some may include additional sequences or require more time for patient preparation.
- The need for additional sequences, such as diffusion-weighted images or fat-suppressed sequences, can add to the overall scan time.
Patient Preparation and Experience
Patients should plan to be at the imaging facility for about 1-2 hours total, accounting for check-in, preparation, and the actual scan time. During the procedure, patients must remain completely still to ensure clear images, which is why the technologist may provide cushions or straps for comfort and stability. Some facilities may perform these scans separately on different days rather than in one session, especially if detailed imaging is required for specific diagnostic purposes. The non-contrast approach is suitable for evaluating disc problems, spinal stenosis, and many structural abnormalities, though contrast might be added later if needed for better visualization of certain conditions, as discussed in other studies 1.
From the Research
MRI Scan Duration
The duration of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine without contrast can vary depending on the protocol and technology used.
- A study by 2 found that a simultaneous multislice-based 5-minute lumbar spine MRI protocol was feasible and did not significantly impact diagnostic quality.
- However, this study only focused on the lumbar spine, and the duration of a full spine MRI scan without contrast is not explicitly stated in the provided evidence.
- Another study by 3 discussed the use of a focused MRI protocol for thoracolumbar spine fractures, but did not provide information on the duration of the scan.
- Studies by 4, 5, and 6 discussed various aspects of spine MRI, including incidental findings, detection of multifocal infection, and evaluation of fat saturation and contrast enhancement, but did not provide information on the duration of a full spine MRI scan without contrast.
Factors Affecting Scan Duration
Several factors can affect the duration of an MRI scan, including: