How to Read a Cervical MRI

In this video, Dr. Webb breaks down how to read a cervical MRI.
Check out this video on How to read a lumbar MRI
• How to Read a Spine MRI
To see Dr Webb as a patient, please contact:
Antonio J. Webb, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
South Texas Spinal Clinic
9150 Huebner Road Suite 290
San Antonio, Texas 78240
Office: 210-614-6432
Fax: [phone]
www.spinaldoc.com
antoniowebbmd.com
Dr. Webb's new book, Overcoming the Odds (ranked 5 STARS!) is available NOW at: amzn.to/2hV3MtR
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website. Never rely on information on this website in place of seeking professional medical advice.

[@antoniowebbmd]

If you haven’t, check out this video on how to read a lumbar MRI kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJzbp4epm6mEZrs If you guys like videos like this, please like and subscribe! I’ll try to create more!

[@HeyIntegrity]

What type of mri generally shows the latissimus dorsi? Do orthos know how to read latissimus mri and indentify the anatomy and tell how much of muscle covered?

[@joshg369]

As a PA working in spine orthopedics, great job in going over all the details. Having to explain MRIs can be confusing for majority of patients

[@antoniowebbmd]

Thanks!!

[@welshwitch2126]

Somehow, you just showed up in my homepage and I’ve been enjoying your content! My dad was a general surgeon, and I was the only one in the family without an MD or DDS behind my name. I was a vet tech for a while and loved it, but had to leave for greener pastures with two kids in college. I had an ACDF in 2006 from a “freak” accident. I was standing on a chair and lost my balance. I didn’t fall per se, but stepped off and bumped my side and shoulder pretty hard up against the wall. The next day, it just felt like a crick in my neck. I got home from work and told my husband I had a new parlor trick- when I turned my head to the right, my left arm would go numb. The second day, however, I had excruciating pain from my left shoulder to my elbow, and had lost feeling and motor control from my elbow down. My friend tried to get me to go to her chiropractor for an adjustment, but growing up in an old school medical family, I had the “quack” opinion stuck in my head. They obviously serve a purpose, but it’s just not something I subscribe to. I had an MRI- it was extremely difficult to stay still during the procedure because of the pain- and was sent to a neurosurgeon immediately. I was unaware that the motor control was starting to be affected down my entire left side, and he wanted to do surgery the next day. I had just started a new job, so I had to wrap things up to go on medical leave. Turns out I have degenerative disc disease and had blown out two discs C4/C5 and C5/C6 impinging on the cord and nerve root, and C3/C4 was compromised as well. I now have cadaver bone and a double plate. I have permanent weakness in my left arm, which the surgeon had told me was a possibility. I struggled with chronic stiffness in my neck and burning in my upper right back and shoulder area for all the years I lived the cubicle life in front of computer screens. Amazingly, that vanished after I got a Covid layoff and decided to retire😁 I still have a stiff neck and a semi gimpy left arm, but it hasn’t stopped me from enjoying my retirement! I was in a car accident when I was 20- no seat belt laws in the 70s- and took out a telephone pole and hit the steering wheel and windshield with my face. I’ve always wondered if that may have played a role in the severity of my neck injury from just bumping into a wall 30 years later🤷‍♀️

[@dracon501]

I do MRI and I love videos of surgeons and radiologists going over images. Super helpful. Thank you for taking the time to educate people.

[@BigDub8989]

I have found myself watching a lot of Dr.Webbs videos throughout the day. He is true inspiration, and very informal on various topics. Please keep the videos coming👍🏻

[@antoniowebbmd]

Thank you!!🙏🏾

[@sayedm2392]

Thank you Dr. Webb , easy to understand tutorial!

[@sandrahollyfield3266]

Very good explanations

[@sheilavives1137]

Thank you for the video

[@kellymac76]

Great explanation. I'm having a C5-6,6-7 ACDF, chorpectomy in a few weeks. As a nurse I have looked at my MRI so many times. You answered so many questions.

[@CindyG737]

I just went to see a neurosurgeon today and you explained it so much better! Thank you!

[@Jess2b_fit]

This is so valuable, thank you! 🙌

[@newyorkdiva3]

Thank you that was fascinating.

[@ChronicChristy]

I’m someone who had to learn how to read brain & cervical spine imaging on my own after having multiple cervical spine MRIs read incorrectly as “normal” by one of the top 25 hospitals for neurosurgery, despite continual increase in severity of symptoms. (I actually spent so much time learning how to read them that my specialist neurosurgeon said they needed to get me a job after having gotten the exact measurements he had.) But before I got to my specialist, I discovered Dr. Myles Koby’s presentations to colleagues called “The Discordant Report: Pathological Radiological Findings vs. ‘Normal’ Findings” where he explained that so many patients like myself were given normal reports but actually had abnormal/pathological findings. Dr. Koby suggested that this was due to radiologists & drs not using measurements like the horizontal harris line & clivoaxial angle accurately and/or consistently. Dr. Koby is a literal lifesaver for me-My “normal” MRIs actually showed craniocervical instability & brain stem impingement-both posterior (due to chiari malformation) & anterior (due to ligament laxity caused by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.) It’s because of this that I’m a HUGE advocate of *all* neurosurgeons learning & utilizing the Horizontal Harris line & clivoaxial angle in their diagnostics. I also highly recommend looking at continuing ed presentations by Dr. Myles Koby.

[@HeyIntegrity]

what type of measurement is used to measure muscle cross sectional area and length?

[@Hide_and_silk]

I'm a fellow EDS sufferer and, in my younger years, was told I had severe spinal laxity. Fast forward and I now have disc prolapse, degeneration and stenosis pretty much throughout my spine...even thoracic spine. I'm in severe pain and have lost the use of my left hand. Having a consultation with the spinal surgeon on Wednesday.

[@juliel9749]

thank you, how well explained this is!

[@cliffhutson8048]

Awesome information Thank You

[@ashog1426]

Great video sir. Thank you! 🙏

[@kevinaldcroft6291]

Thank you great video.

[@tloty1168]

You are so much better than doctor google. I definitely cannot read my MRI’s. I have cervical, thoracic, and lumbar back issues from an injury. I’m new to the channel and I’m going to look at your videos. Thank you for all you do!!! ❤ Please do a breakdown like this for the thoracic spine if possible. 😊

[@sherrybacon8041]

Very informative.

[@lindysmith1930]

Thank you.

[@LoveMoneySecretsTV]

Defnitely like this video, nice job explaining the cervical MRI.

[@jphillips5576]

Great video! More of these, please

[@antoniowebbmd]

Thank you!

[@michaelcollins788]

Great Videos. Thanks For Sharing Doctor 🙏❤️

[@antoniowebbmd]

My pleasure!

[@Anniefawesome]

THIS IS AMAZING!!

[@antoniowebbmd]

Ty!

[@phantomsociety1966]

True inspiration. You got me considering surgery as a profession

[@antoniowebbmd]

awesome!!

[@Teenasteele]

Thank you for your time and hard work! Love the thorough explanation in both this and your lumbar spine MRI reading videos! May I kindly make a suggestion for yourself to make one reading a thoracic MRI ? Perhaps even in relation to/ or something along the lines of chiari malformation, hydrosyringomyelia and or scheuerumann's? I'll happily throw my hand up as an example case! Haha! Sadly, I suffer with chronic pain and truly believe I need a second opinion on my MRIs ( I have around 3 full spine (1 with contrast dye) over 4ish years). Let me know if you would be interested! All the best ✨

[@randystanford2821]

Thank you, Dr. Walsh. Your description of how to read MRI was very helpful.

[@antoniowebbmd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alainmedgyjean-jacques]

very informative ... in Obs we don't do cervical MRI but here I 've learned a lot

[@donjaun540]

Very interesting. Thank you doctor. I do like it when you explain an MRI. Maybe a good thoracic video one of these time. Damage you know.

[@elijahmurray6094]

Yessssssss I would like to read the lumbar

[@sarastarzdesignz]

Need one of the thoracic area and herniated to 2.2 mm, then calcified at T6/T7. Dr did surgery but still compressed at 6.5 mm.

[@superkillahk]

Thank you for this video. I was wondering if you could give you opinion/medical expertise about this question I have..after a cervical disc replacement, how often the disc over and/or below the disc replacement may start changing/ moving/ bulging, causing damages?!

[@nadinesp6141]

Hello Dr. Webb in 2013 I was in a motor vehicle accident which resulted in a SI Joint injury which causes constant pain in left lower back, buttocks, hip , thigh and toes on left foot. Thanks for your video on reading MRI of the lower spine it told me what part of spine was causing pain. I use CBD and THC oil for the pain. I live in Toronto. I also remember after the accident my body would not let me know I needed to urinate, I told every doctor but they ignored it was that important? Looking forward to your reply

[@larryboyd7979]

How do you read xray to deternine a Volkman's Ischaemic Contracture?

[@sergiogomez6]

Doc is there anything at the neck level that can cause a symptom such as anxiety? I hear a lot that if there is brain stem compression or vagus nerve compression that it is possible for sure but I wanted your opinion on this… I appreciate your help

[@el-hp1lj]

I have/had a random electrical shock pain in the side of my right neck when i turn my head to the right and talk together. Only happens with this combo. It hurts so bad for 1-2 seconds and its gone. it scares me and i am scared to talk and turn my head now. I have ptsd from it. I had a mri and they saw a small bone spur on c4/5. They think that when i talk and my voicebox move and the neck twisted I can be pinching off the nerve or flicking it like a guitar string

[@bigitaly4554]

I have a question - if a patient has a herniated disc along with hypertrophic ligamentum flaavum, wouldn’t a posterior laminectomy and fusion be a better choice than ACDF? Taking the disc material out and plating the vertebra together does nothing for the infolded or hypertrophic ligament pressing on the back of the cord. I also have this problem, and have had 8 spinal fusion surgeries

[@DivorceCouncilor]

I just learned most of the terms today in my anatomy class

[@antoniowebbmd]

Awesome!

[@sueisaacs1256]

I have some mri images I wonder if u could have a look?

[@nickfury431]

If you could please help me my question is what software do you use on a Mac to look at your MRIs CT‘s x-rays. I have not had any luck finding a program

[@fgeorge7434]

Antonio J.Webb, M.D. ;There is a chemical reaction{ burning ) from the liquid of disc interior splashing to the marrow ?

[@lucabonaccio]

Hi doctor Webb. It is possible to have an herniated disc without any recent trauma? I feel a little bit of tingling and numbness in my arm, especially the left one, and I know I haven't slept well with my neck recently

[@lichin11]

Do you accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance?

[@HowlingWolf66]

Hello Dr. Webb, How are you today? I was wondering how I can get a second opinion on my MRI's? I do not feel that the doctors are reading them correctly or interpreting them correctly for me to understand. How may I get in contact with you? I have been suffering intense pain for some time now. Thank you.

[@Marco-bg8jf]

I need help with mine

[@bmp713]

Can you actually visualize the nerves and nerve roots themselves coming off the cord and measure how inflamed they are? Or can you only measure the size of the space between the foramina?

[@yamabesharat3140]

Hei doctor, I am in high school, what should I learn now ti help me through my medical university?

[@zimshah]

Thank you so much! I drop my keys all of the time and never considered that it was related to my crummy neck. I always thought it was my crummy brain!

[@MyfathersdaughteriswhoIa-gq6ik]

Perfect. A patient can understand . I have C 1 injury . they have been telling me no surgery yet . I'm now 59 , as best I can remember happened in my 30s early . pain in my right arm and o. Disability by 55 I think it was . Dr said I had carpul tunnel did a nerve conductor test and that Dr didn't agree with the orthopedic Dr , he said its coming from her neck . that appointment was long , the Dr was in and out of the room . the orthopedic Dr that owned the practice must have fired him . orthopedic Dr filed a workman comp with out asking me and my life has never been the same . thank you for such a good job explaining. People need to understand. I'm in a lot of pain now. I'm sure all kinds of capillaryS have grown over my injuries by now and that's more scary to me than anything. I know someone with same injury and they told him to wait , then when it came time , they cut into his neck in the back and he bled out and past away . Right there . wife in waiting room ,over 50 years married.

[@areguapiri]

Stay away from surgery.

[@lisaburks2]

You just described a lot of symptoms my husband has due to breaking his neck twice. I really wish you had a practice in ohio

[@antoniowebbmd]

Sorry to hear that. Please see a good friend of mine, also a spine surgeon who is in Ohio molinaspine.com

[@EllaBella-76]

Well I have narrowing right at the top a spur ?Pressing on the nerve route ?Right under my scull ?I can’t bend my neck and all my hands are numb which Is not great brain atrophy as in I am shrinking ?I also have lower spine compression I just feel like saying 😩😩😭😭This was todays news he said we wait because i am doing all this but i already had spinal surgery so unless it gets worse my GP said a pillow a good bed and await

[@eltiarribero]

If I do the MR on that pt, I would send the images to Pacs, call the radiologist, and tell pt to seat tight if outpt. Not going home till rad says so. 😉

[@DJR40]

hello doctor Webb i have simple question : i have symptoms of (least of a year numbness and tingling in limbs also in the head ) this area of c1 anterior tubercle (it is normal or could be a tumor ?(it is big i see compare to other kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z17WnK2If7pmfbs thank you for you attention

[@lauralaplace9945]

I can’t get to a Spine Dr in Asheville, I’m still waiting for a Neuro

[@amyc4406]

Hmmmmm…after seeing this video I’m wondering what my MRI looks like exactly. Jan. 6, 2021 I was in a car accident (a dump truck pulled out in front of me). I have an injured cervical (and a tarlov cyst in my lumbar). I’ve been seeing a pain doctor for back injections, as I’m trying to avoid surgery. Last month, I had an epidural in my cervical to help with the pain. My doctor said when he went to put the needle in, my spacing was very tight and he doesn’t typically see it in 30 year olds. I noticed this past weekend burning in my cervical again. I think the epidural is starting to ware off😢. I had to take my narcotic last night due to the pain.

[@kenm6533]

Hello Dr. Webb, I’m a 62yr old man that suffers from neck problems that give me weakness tingling, numberless in 2 of fingers and some really bad muscle spasms in the middle of my back. I have some questions about surgery on my neck that looks like is going to happen in the near future and looks like some fusion is going to take place, I’ve been doing some research about disk replacement rather than fusion(which I would like think that replacement is better). But possibly suffering from not enough bone for replacement. I feel that replacement of a disk is better than a fusion because the resolution(for lack of a better word) of my neck movement wouldn’t decrease as much as a fusion of several disks making the outer two disk now having to work harder and possibly causing premature degeration of these disk. So is my thinking correct that fusion just lead to definite future of neck surgeries to come? Is it possible that more fusions literally could take away a persons ability to even bend or move your neck at all? I know this video was about reading a mri which btw helps me understand what I’m looking at but I thought I would try to ask. Thanks again for your time Ken

[@rrbancroft]

OIF Campaign Medal?

[@db3467]

I was in a car accident there were two different opinions to the cervical mti. YOU can't believe what an insurance company's exams results are. They will be totally different than your doctor's

[@jackiewalker9016]

I’d love to know why I look like I’m imploding in my mri

[@lauralaplace9945]

How to read , key word.

[@Ateyaaa]

If I get a MRI on Pelvis, will it show my lumbar....

[@user-vw1bp8kr9r]

I m from India can I have your mail ID. I m suffering back pain took MRI and its show mild bulge. Vould u pls go through it. If i get ur mail id I can share the film of mri

[@Fishingtime01]

Could someone look at my MRI ?

[@dr.python]

Lumbar MRI next

[@ritterheather39]

I wish my dr would explain SOMETHING, ANYTHING to me. Herding ppl like cattle. I need a CA surgeon.

[@johnbir8321]

Being educated ….