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