Diagnostic Systems of Georgia

MRI is the definitive imaging technique for evaluation of the brain in almost every circumstance.

CT can provide complete evaluation of the majority of intracranial diseases, i.e. tumors, strokes, acute hemorrage, hydrocephalus.

Cervical & Thoracic Spine	MRI Preferred	CT Preferred	Both Suggested
Best detail evaluation of degenerative spondylosis, i.e. uncovetrebral osteophytic ridging & spurring, degenerative facet diseas
Chiari malformation
Disc disease (dehydration, bulging, herniation)
Extrinsic lesions compressing the spinal cord
Intrinsic spinal cord lesions (syrinx, cord tumor, hemorrhage, edema, MS plaques)
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
Neuralforaminal stenosos & spurring
Soft tissue masses & abscesses
Spinal arteriovenous malformations
Spinal canal stenosis
Vertebral body lesions (metastasis, hemangioma, osteomyelitis, etc.)
Vertebral fractures & facet dislocations
Head and Neck	MRI Preferred	CT Preferred	Both Suggested
Erosion of the skull base
Laryngeal tumors, Nasopharyngeal tumors
Lesions involving the brachial plexus
Neck masses, Parotid Masses
Soft tissue tumors of the neck and adenopathy
tumors of the Larynx
Tumors of the Skull Base
Hip	MRI Preferred	CT Preferred	Both Suggested
Avascular necrosis
Define fractures & dislocations
Effusions (septic joint, or trauma)
LLiopsoas bursitis
Knee	MRI Preferred	CT Preferred	Both Suggested
Anterior & posterior cruciate ligament injury
Asscess degree of internal meniscal degeneration (age-related trauma)
Chondromalacai patella
Collateral ligament injury
Identify loose bodies in the joint
Joint effusions
Meniscal tears
Osteochondral fractures
Popliteal masses
Synovial cysts
Lumbar Spine	MRI Preferred	CT Preferred	Both Suggested
Best detail for evaluation of degenerative spondylosis, i.e. osteophytic ridging, degenerative facet disease, facet hypertrophy
Bone Tumors
Degenerative disease limited to the disc and vertebral endplate, without bulging, or herniation
Differentiation of postsurgical scar from recurrent disc (especially effective with Gd-DTPA)
Disc Disease (dehydration, bulging, herniation)
Discitis
Distinction between postoperative scarring & recurrent disc herniation (may use IV contrast material)
Evaluation of paravertebral soft tissue tumors & abcesses
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
Nerve root compression, or displacement
Nutral foraminal spurring and stenosis
Postoperative Hematomas
Pseudomeningocele
Soft tissu masses & abscesses
Spinal canal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Systematic diseases affective the bone marrow
Musculoskeletal Region	MRI Preferred	CT Preferred	Both Suggested
Bone Tumors
Detailed evaluation of superficial & deep soft tisue masses
TMJ	MRI Preferred	CT Preferred	Both Suggested
Evaluate condylar erosion/evaluate fracture of condyle or glenoid fossa
Meniscal degeneration or sublucation
TMJ pain