Emergency MR imaging of the central nervous system

Magnetic resonance (MR) of the central nervous system has few, but important indications for use in the acute setting. This report reviews the few true current clinical indications for emergency MR imaging, including ruling out spinal cord compression, vascular dissection or dural venous sinus thrombosis. Possible indications for emergency MR, including evaluation of acute stroke symptomatology, potential meningoencephalitis or vasculitis, are also presented. Future applications for MR, including MR angiography in the setting of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage and spectroscopy in acute ischemia, are mentioned.