Finding the right tests…
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Finding the right tests…
MRI
This combined scan covers your brain and cervical, or neck-level, spinal cord in one appointment, ordered when a neurological symptom could be coming from either place. Numbness, weakness, or coordination problems don't always point clearly to the brain or the upper spinal cord on their own, so doctors sometimes image both at once rather than guessing which region to scan first. Multiple sclerosis is one condition this combination is particularly useful for, since the cervical spinal cord is affected in a large majority of people with confirmed MS, alongside brain lesions, and finding both patterns together helps build the diagnosis. Appointments like this run longer than a brain scan alone, since two regions are covered in one visit.
The scan covers brain structure alongside the cervical spinal cord and the vertebrae around it, checking for lesions, compression, or abnormal signal in either region. Because some conditions show a distinctive pattern across both areas together, reading them side by side often adds more than either scan would on its own.
Some neurological symptoms, such as numbness spreading down an arm, coordination problems, or changes in bladder control, can come from a lesion in the brain, the cervical spinal cord, or sometimes both at once. Rather than choosing one region to scan first and possibly missing the other, this combined study images both together.
Multiple sclerosis is a well-documented example: the cervical spinal cord shows abnormalities in a large majority of people with established MS, often alongside characteristic brain lesions, and spinal cord imaging is considered an important part of building this diagnosis. A normal spinal cord scan in someone with suspected MS is itself considered a notable finding, since it works against the diagnosis.
Many neurological symptoms are clearly located to one region from the start, in which case a single, more focused scan is all that's needed. Your doctor combines the two only when the symptom pattern, exam findings, or a suspected diagnosis genuinely points toward either location being possible.
This scan builds a picture your doctor interprets alongside a neurological exam and, often, other tests, rather than delivering a diagnosis on its own.
Some neurological symptoms, like numbness or coordination problems, can come from a lesion in the brain, the cervical spinal cord, or both. Scanning both together in one visit avoids missing whichever region turns out to be involved.
It's often used for that, since MS commonly affects the cervical spinal cord alongside the brain, and finding both patterns together helps build the diagnosis. It's also used for other neurological symptoms your doctor wants checked in both regions.
Longer than a brain scan alone, since two separate regions are imaged in the same visit. Ask the centre for a time estimate when you book.
It depends on what your doctor is checking for. Ask your doctor whether contrast has been included in your specific request.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
Your doctor generally only combines the two when your symptoms could reasonably come from either region. If one area is clearly the source, a single, more focused scan may be enough instead.
Not on its own. It's read alongside your neurological exam, symptoms, and sometimes other tests like a spinal fluid analysis, rather than used as a stand-alone diagnostic tool.
Yes, staying still through both parts of the scan helps keep the images clear. The technologist will let you know how long each portion takes.