MR neurography is a revolutionary technology that allows physicians to "see" nerves. But this wasn't always the case. Until recently, nerves were invisible on x-rays, CT scans and even regular magnetic resonance scans. The innovations of Neurography Institute changed everything.

How does MR neurography work?

Magnetic resonance neurography is the imaging of nerves through the use of magnetic resonance equipment. But MR neurography is more than just placing a person underneath an MR machine and taking a picture; it is a patented process that requires specific MR equipment and patented configurations, skilled personnel to perform the imaging, computer-aided visual enhancements, and trained neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons to "read" (or knowledgeably interpret) the scans to properly identify issues and provide diagnoses and recommended courses of action.

To learn more about MR neurography and how it was developed by Dr. Aaron Filler, the founder and medical director of the Neurography Institute, click here.

What is involved in having an MR neurography scan performed?

If you've ever had an x-ray, CT scan, or even MRI scan, then you already know what an MR neurography is like. MR neurography scans are conducted under standard MR imaging scanners such as the one depicted here. You lay on a scanning table and your body is passed into the scanning station automatically, based on the area to be scanned. The entire process can take as little as a matter of minutes, or as long as a half-hour or more, depending on the number of scans required. No injectable dyes are used and there is no pain and no ill aftereffects whatsoever. The entire process is comfortable and without discomfort.

Why would I need an MR neurography?

Any time your physician suspects you are suffering from a nerve-related ailment, chances are good that an MR neurography scan can help determine if this diagnosis is correct. Moreover, in the event the diagnosis is accurate, an MR neurography scan can help your physician pinpoint the location of the issue and thereby craft a course of action that will have a much greater success rate.

Not every pain is due to a nerve problem. In many cases, the nerves are working perfectly and the pain is your body's way of telling you there is a problem with a tissue inside. Think of a sprained ankle, broken bone or stomach ache — the pain lets you know something is wrong.

Sometimes, a compressed or pinched nerve is the problem. This is a perfect example of where an MR neurography scan from Neurography Institute may be helpful; an MR neurography scan can locate and depict the exact location where the nerve is irritated or injured.

Some of the more common reasons behind MR neurography scans are:

• arm pain
• hand pain
• leg pain
• foot pain

In many cases, these pains can be attributed to a spinal problem such as a herniated disk or bone spur. But just as often, the problems can be related to nerves distant from the spinal area. Considering nearly 100,000 spinal surgeries each year fail to help their respective patients, it's important to consider steps such as MR neurography before invasive surgeries are ordered, to be absolutely sure of the problem.

Next, we'll take a closer look at some of the conditions that are best served by a diagnosis via MR neurography.

Click here for the next section: Common Disorders