| MRI is the commonly used layman's term for | | | | thus enabling a more precise diagnosis and |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This is a | | | | quicker treatment option. However, the test |
| non-invasive procedure adopted to obtain | | | | does take a lot of time to perform as a |
| images of the inner parts of the body. The | | | | number of images maybe required if the test |
| procedure is based on using powerful magnets | | | | is to be efficient and effective. However, |
| and radio waves to capture images of the | | | | patients who have had any kind of implant may |
| inner parts of the body. The procedure does | | | | not be able to take the test. In fact, even |
| not employ any kind of radiation rather it | | | | people like sheet metal workers may need to |
| based on the magnetic properties of the atom. | | | | be prescreened before taking the test. This |
| So powerful is this method as a diagnostic | | | | is to ensure accuracy since the test uses |
| tool that it can differentiate between organs | | | | magnetic imaging and magnets attract metals. |
| and also provide information about the tissue | | | | |
| of a tumor, informing the diagnostician | | | | According to the Maryland Spine Center, the |
| whether the growth is cancerous or | | | | MRI cost can be bifurcated into two areas. |
| non-cancerous. The results can easily be | | | | The first is the actual cost of the test or |
| stored in the computer or as printouts, and | | | | the "technical fees". The second is the cost |
| the patient can be imaged through his | | | | of reading the test or the "professional |
| clothes; there is no special reason to | | | | fee". Therefore, at times the patient may |
| undress for undergoing this test. | | | | receive two bills for the same MRI. However |
| | | | this is not always the case, testing services |
| MRI is a great advance in treating | | | | hospitals may opt to combine the two costs |
| back-related problems. It allows the imaging | | | | and present the patient with a single bill |
| of the spinal area and clearly differentiates | | | | only. It has generally been found that MRI |
| between the vertebrae, the spinal cord and | | | | costs are higher that X-ray costs, but the |
| the spaces between the vertebrae through | | | | results prompt quicker diagnostics and |
| which the nerves travel and pass out to the | | | | treatment options can begin immediately. On |
| rest of the body. In addition, it provides | | | | the other hand, X-rays cost less, but may |
| pictures of the areas that are hard to view, | | | | delay the treatment until more tests and time |
| such as the spinal canal, the bony segments | | | | is spent on trying other options. On the |
| and the soft tissues. It is also an ideal | | | | average, it has been found that the spinal |
| diagnostic tool to explore the possibility of | | | | MRI costs in the range of $2300-$2500. This |
| spinal lesions and tumors and to identify the | | | | cost may vary from State to State and also |
| exact location of these items. It is safer | | | | from facility to facility. It would be best |
| and more comfortable for the patient and | | | | to obtain an accurate costing from the |
| likewise, more informative for the doctor, | | | | diagnostic center the patient plans to use. |