Spine MRI

How Dragonfly Spine MRI Screening Works

Dragonfly spine MRI sequences are designed to identify major structural abnormalities across the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

Explore Dragonfly scans

Screening-level imaging

A broad view of major structural findings

Our Dragonfly spine MRI sequences are designed for screening, meaning they are intended to identify major structural abnormalities, but they are not equivalent to a dedicated diagnostic spine MRI ordered by a spine surgeon or neurologist.

With our protocol—cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine—we can typically detect major findings across the spine.

Three regions, one screening view.Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine imaging is included in the protocol described here.

What screening may identify

Structural findings visible across the spine

Moderate to large disc bulges or herniations
Central canal stenosis or significant spinal canal narrowing
Neural foraminal narrowing when moderate to severe
Degenerative disc disease and disc height loss
Spondylosis or osteophytes
Scoliosis or alignment abnormalities
Compression fractures or vertebral body abnormalities
Large intraspinal masses or lesions
Cord signal abnormalities when conspicuous, such as a syrinx or large lesions

These findings are usually well visualized because our sequences include sagittal and axial T2-weighted imaging across the spine, which are the key screening sequences for structural pathology.

Where dedicated imaging goes further

What screening is not optimized to evaluate

Post-surgical spine evaluation, including hardware assessment or scar versus recurrent disc
Subtle nerve root compression or radiculopathy
Facet joint arthropathy in detail
Ligamentous injury or instability
Inflammatory or infectious spine disease
Small intradural or foraminal lesions
Dynamic or positional abnormalities
Contrast-enhanced evaluation
High-resolution multi-sequence protocols used for surgical planning

Dedicated spine MRIs typically include many additional sequences, thinner slices, targeted field-of-view imaging, and sometimes contrast. These allow more detailed evaluation of nerve roots, post-operative changes, and subtle pathology.

The right role for screening

A strong broad view—and a clear boundary

A Dragonfly Whole-Body Scan is excellent for screening the spine and detecting major abnormalities such as significant disc disease or spinal canal narrowing. However, it is not a substitute for a dedicated diagnostic MRI ordered by a spine specialist, especially for evaluating surgical areas or specific nerve-related symptoms.

Special note for post-surgical patients: Patients with prior spine surgery are one of the groups most likely to still need a dedicated diagnostic MRI, because evaluation of scar tissue, recurrent disc herniation, or hardware typically requires a targeted protocol and often contrast.

Your spine matters. Let’s start treating it that way.

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