MR Neurography: Magnetic Resonance Neurography (MRN) is a new and specialized form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to perform detailed evaluation of spinal and peripheral nerves.  Routine MR imaging provides limited detail of spinal and peripheral nerves.  MR neurography can be used to help detect nerve inflammation, confirm nerve injury, and assess nerve entrapment as well as to evaluate the location of compromise.  MR Neurography can be a useful diagnostic complement to electrodiagnostic evaluation, particularly in those situations where the electrodiagnostic findings are not straightforward.  MRN can be used to reveal a variety of different types of nerve problems.  It can be used to detect alterations of the imaging signal intensity of a nerve that reflects changes in the proton relationships in tissues.  It can be used to evaluate nerve caliber and the degree and pattern of swelling and edema in a nerve.  MRN can be used to help detect nerve laceration or neuroma formation.  MRN is very effective for the assessment of large nerves and is less effective for smaller nerves.  Continued advances in MRI technology will lead to increasing use of MRN for the assessment of both large and small nerves.

Nerve compromise and related symptoms account for millions of patient office visits each year.  The nervous system is relatively difficult to image in detail. Routine MR imaging provides limited detail of spinal and peripheral nerves.  MRN neurography can be used to help detect nerve inflammation, confirm nerve injury, and assess nerve entrapment as well as to evaluate other types of abnormalities.