Melbourne Radiology Clinic
Ground Floor
Suite 3-6, 100 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Ph: 03 9667 1667
Fax: 03 9667 1666

Appointments

 

Adult MRI Series – Cervical spine: trauma

MRI Gallery - GP Referred & Medicare Eligible MRI Scans
MRI Cervical Spine Radiculopathy - GP Referred MRI

Adult MRI Series:
Cervical Spine – Trauma

Following an episode of significant trauma, the supporting structures of the cervical spine often require definitive imaging. CT reliably excludes most fractures, however suffers from the inability to evaluate many acute types of disc injury, as well as any neurological injury.

MRI is an important adjunct to CT and in fact, the two tests are complimentary, as the strength in CT is to exclude osseous injury and the role of MRI is to exclude disc, ligament and neurological (spinal nerve and spinal cord) injury. MRI can even show small osseous contusions (“bone bruises”) that are typically CT occult and though not unstable, may account for unexplained pain following a normal CT examination.

In the context of neurological symptoms following trauma, MRI is considered mandatory.

MRI Cervical Spine Radiculopathy - GP Referred MRI

Figure 5 Sagittal T2 fat saturated sequence following a motor vehicle accident demonstrates isolated disruption of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) at the C7/T1 level.

Figure 6 Sagittal T2 fat saturated sequence status post hyperflexion injury of the spine demonstrates abnormal hyperintense signal within the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments of the upper cervical spine (arrow) consistent with sprain injury.

MRI scans of the cervical spine that are eligible for the Medicare rebate referred by GPs are bulk billed at Melbourne Radiology Clinic.

MBS Item Description

Referral by a medical practitioner (excluding a specialist or consultant physician) for a MRI scan of spine for a patient 16 years or older for suspected:

  • cervical spine trauma
GP Referred

BULK-BILLED

Adult MRI – Clinical Case Examples.