Recent advances in spinal magnetic resonance imaging

The application of recent technologic innovations, such as phase-array coil technology, saturation bands in the field of view, variable bandwidth, new methods of image display, new applications of contrast agents and ultrafast spin-echo imaging, promises to improve even further the scope and versatility of magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. Several of the new methods, such as the fat-saturation and variable-bandwidth techniques, have been applied to imaging the head, but their use in imaging the spine has lagged for various technologic reasons. For other advances, such as phased-array coil technology, minor problems, including prolonged reconstruction time, have yet to be overcome. Still others, such as ultrafast spin-echo imaging, have been developed so recently that they have just begun to enter clinical trials. All of these techniques promise to improve the quality and, in some cases, the speed of spinal magnetic resonance imaging and should allow an even better understanding of the anatomy and pathology of the spine.