MRI LS Spine: Price, Purpose, Risks & Results [2024]

MRI LS spine is a study to examine the lumbar & sacral section of the spine. A doctor often recommends this in cases of back pain. MRI Lumbar spine or ls spine cost in India starts at around Rs 3000 and may go up to Rs 8000.

The lumbosacral region of the spine is a common site of origin of back pain. Sometimes in the case of lower back pain along with the Lumbar region, the Sacrum spine is to be examined by MRI lumbosacral spine. The Lumbar spine consists of:

• Five vertebrae range from L1 to L5
• Sacrum S1 to S5
• Blood Vessels
• Nerves
• Tendon
• Ligament
• Cartilage

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It captures inner images of the body by using magnets and radio waves without incision. The scan provides a view of soft tissues, muscles, bones, and organs.

Test details in Brief

Also Known As	MRI Lumbar Spine, MRI LS Spine, MRI Lumbo-sacral spine
Purpose	Detects Spinal Tumors, Injuries, Cancers & infection
Preparation	Remove Metals & other implants (if any). 4-6 hours of fasting in case of contrast study.
Machine Used	MRI Scanner (1.5 or 3 Tesla)
Reporting Time	4 to 24 Hrs.
Cost	Rs. 2499 to Rs. 8000

MRI LS Spine Cost

MRI LS spine cost starts at about Rs 3000 in India. It is an expensive test with limited availability. The reason for the high cost is mainly the high machine cost of MRI scanner, maintenance cost & radiologist/ doctor fees. Due to this reason, only a few large centres have this facility. Bookmerilab has a partnership with more than 50 MRI Centers in India and we provide up to 50% discount.

The table below lists the MRI LS spine cost in major cities of India.

City Name	Cost Range
Delhi	Rs 2499 to Rs 8000
Gurgaon	Rs 3150 to Rs 7200
Hyderabad	Rs 3150 to Rs 7850
Chennai	Rs 3150 to Rs 5000
Mumbai	Rs 3150 to Rs 6500
Bangalore	Rs 3150 to Rs 8000

Sometimes a doctor may recommend some special studies of MRI LS spine. Their tentative cost is listed below

Type	Delhi	Chennai	Hyderabad	Mumbai	Bangalore
MRI Lumbar Spine	Rs 2499	Rs 3150	Rs 3150	Rs 3150	Rs 3150
MRI Lumbar Spine With Contrast	Rs 4500	Rs 4500	Rs 5400	Rs 5400	Rs 5400
MRI Lumbar Spine With Whole Spine Screening	Rs 4050	Rs 4050	Rs 4950	Rs 4950	Rs 4050
MRI LS Spine Screening	Rs 4500	Rs 4500	Rs 5400	Rs 5400	Rs 5400

The above-mentioned costs in all the cities are discounted prices which are only available at BookMeriLab.

In India, we provide MRI scan services in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. In case, you have any queries, please fill the form below to request a callback.

Purpose of MRI LS Spine

MRI LS Spine means a Magnetic resonance study of the Lumber & sacral region of the spine. It helps in the diagnosis and treatment planning of back pain-related problems caused by injury, infection, or other conditions. A doctor may recommend an MRI of the LS spine in case of lower back pain and related problems such as injury, infection, and other related conditions.

• The MRI Lumbar scan is used to get the following backbone information:
  • Alignment of the spine
  • Disc height
  • Configuration of vertebrae
  • Nature of intervertebral disc
  • Compressed nerves
  • Any abnormalities near the spine
  • The appearance of spinal cord
  • The Abnormality after spinal surgery

• MRI might be considered for the following suspicious cases:
  • Pain in the back accompanied by fever
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Injury in the lower spine
  • The problem in the bladder
  • Constant and severe pain in the lower back
  • Spinal Cancer
  • Weakness or numbness in the legs as in case of sciatica pain
  • Birth affecting your spine
  • Before undergoing spinal surgery
  • Detect Tumors

An MRI scan is performed both before and after a patient has spinal surgery. It helps the doctor plan the surgery better because the lumbar MRI shows the complete structure of the spinal cord. It includes spinal bones, discs, and also the space between the two vertebral bones. In post-surgery, it helps to monitor the treatment.

Preparation

• An MRI being magnetic imaging might attract metals, and it can affect the safety and effectiveness of an MRI Scan. So before going for the MRI scan’s you need to remove all sorts of the metal objects they are wearing, such as:
  • Jewelry
  • Ear Rings
  • Watches
  • Hairpin
  • Dentures

• Inform your doctor in case of any metals implanted in the body, such as:
  • Dental Implant
  • Metal Plate
  • Stent/ Pacemaker
  • Prosthetic Limbs

• Let your doctor know if you are allergic to certain dyes or contrast media especially for contrast studies
• If you feel uneasy in the enclosed space and feel claustrophobia during the scan, your doctor may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication or sedative to keep you calm.
• Inform before test in case you are pregnant.

MRI LS Spine Procedure

Usually, it involves the following steps

• The radiologist will ask you to lie in the required position. It might be straight on the back, side, or stomach. In case, you have problem lying down, then you may choose a standing MRI scan which is available at select centers.
• After that, the bench is slowly moved inside a large round-shaped machine.
• The machine makes some sound while taking images. The technician asks you to hold your breath for a few seconds during this process
• There is no pain, and you will not feel anything during the entire procedure. The MRI process takes around 30-90 minutes. However, a MRI machine makes loud noise which may discomfort few patients. You can ask for headphones and listen to music to reduce anxiety.
• In some, MRI contrast dye is injected into the blood to get a clear image of the blood vessels. Some might experience an allergic reaction to the contrast dye as well. Inform you doctor before hand.
• It takes approx 8 to 48 hrs to get the result of the MRI test
• Generated report is then discussed by the doctor and the patient.

Limitations

• High-quality MRI images rely on your ability to remain perfectly still and to follow instructions for holding your breath while scrutinizing your body scan
• Larger people may not be able to fit into certain types of MRI machines. The scanners have weight restrictions. However, you may opt for
• Other metallic objects can make obtaining clear images difficult. The same effect can be achieved by moving the patient
• MRI gadolinium contrast specialists are usually obviated during pregnancy besides in some conditions. Your primary care physician (doctor/ radiologist) will examine the advantages and dangers of any MRI method with you. Doctors might also additionally carry out MRI after the primary trimester to evaluate the fetus for findings that aren’t completely evaluated with the aid of using ultrasound

MRI LS Spine Risks

• MRI scans are Safe. No health risks have been cognate with the low-energy radio waves used for the test. The methodology can be repeated without secondary effects.
• There are troubles for individuals who have injected metals or have embedded screws or pins to move in the body.
• One more entanglement is an allergic response to contrast dye. During some MRI exams, contrast dye is infused into the circulatory system to give a clear picture of veins in the space being filtered. The most widely recognized kind of contrast dye is gadolinium.
• Unfavorably allergic responses to the contrast dye are frequently gentle and simple to control with prescription. Yet, now and then, anaphylactic responses (and even passing) can happen.

Side Effects

• MRI does not use ionizing radiation like X-rays or CT scans. So, it does not have any side effects and is safe for children and pregnant women
• Patients who have metal implants or pacemakers may experience certain complicacy
• The use of contrast dyes might cause allergy or anaphylactic reactions as a side effect
• The patient might feel uncomfortable. Especially, those who are claustrophobic

After the MRI of the LS Spine?

To avoid dizziness or lightheadedness from lying flat, for the duration of the procedure, move slowly when getting up from the scanner table.

If you were given sedatives for the procedure, you may be required to rest until the sedatives wear off. You should also avoid driving.

If you notice any pain, reddening, or swelling at the IV site after the procedure, you should notify your doctor because this could indicate an infection or other type of reaction. Aside from that, no type of special treatment is required after the MRI Scan.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you can resume your usual diet and activities.

MRI LS Spine results

MRI LS Scan report usually list the results from the scan. It should include the spine parts which have shown normal anatomy and abnormal findings from the scan. It may also list further investigation if the report is inconclusive. Your prescribing doctor will relate the results from clinical findings. It will help in diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan and monitoring of the underlying condition.

A sample report screenshot from one of our partner lab is given below:

Normal MRI Lumbar Spine vs Abnormal

Normal Anatomy of LS Spine MRI

• The Five vertebrae, L1 to L5 is visible
• There is a disc visible between the lumbar vertebrae
• The spinal canal can be located in a Normal MRI that appears solid
• The sagittal image of the lumbar shows the nerves. The foramen should be of the same size

Abnormal Anatomy of LS Spine MRI

• The vertebrae may not be aligned. It might be of different shapes and sizes. Such differences denote problems in the bones
• The different thickness of a certain disc might be due to age or can be a herniated disc
• Back pain can occur when the vertebrae are not aligned and are not smooth
• Axial MRI gives a detailed view of the nerve canal. In herniated discs, the nerves are compressed and are responsible for related symptoms

MRI LS & Pregnant Women

There is no proof that Magnetic Resonance Imaging has any adverse impact on a baby. However, doctors typically attempt to avoid MRIs throughout the primary trimester of pregnancy.

An illness is never enjoyable, and a significant illness during pregnancy can be dangerous. The baby, on the other hand, is dependent on the mother’s health and ability to carry her pregnancy to term. If helping the mother improve her health entails performing an MRI exam, the baby’s health will benefit as well.

Summary

An MRI imaging is a great technology to diagnose and treat problems related to the spine. The technology, as well as the medical devices, are is continuously improving. MRI scan is beneficial for both patients and doctors. An MRI scan provides accurate anatomical details and helps the doctors decide the appropriate line of treatment.