Overview
High-resolution MRI (7 Tesla) of the cervical spine is capable to provide good differentiation between nerve and surrounding tissues within foramen und allows to reliably quantify the diameter of nerve roots/ganglia. Secondly, detailed anatomy of vertebral artery and its relation to neural structures / foramina can be assessed.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria:
- Informed consent as documented by signature (Appendix Informed Consent Form)
- >18 years old
- Patients presenting chronic back pain (> 2 months) without recent trauma, previous MRI (1,5 or 3T) for clinicals indications or asymptomatic individuals (for depicting normal microanatomy)
Exclusion criteria:
- previous surgery
- tumor patients
- pregnancy or breast feeding
- any MRI contra-indications
- any MRI contra-indications