I recently had a mri done on my middle back. Results are still pending. My question is that will the mri show anything in my sternum area.

[dmp220]

Because I have also been having chest wall pain I was wondering if the mri that was for my middle spine area would show anything in my chest that is also causing me pain constantly

[earthwitch]

If they see evidence of inflammation where the ribs join onto the spine at the back, then that would point to an inflammatory arthritis which could also be affecting where the ribs join the sternum at the front, or inflammation of the cartilage between ribs (costochondritis). If they are just looking for mechanical damage (disc damage etc) then they may not be doing the type of MRI sequences that would show inflammation, which then wouldn't be much help to explain your chest wall pain. I think you need to wait and talk to your rheumatologist about what the MRI shows and make sure they know you have chest wall pain.

[beauty96]

I always get copies of results. If you do this you can see for yourself. Write to the hospital and ask for them. You do often have to fill in a form and pay £10. I find it really beneficial as I now have all results since 1990. Arthritis can not always be diagnosed just like that. Sometimes it is a case of comparing one x-ray with another taken a while before. My rheumy wants to see the x-rays I have sine 1994. Just to compare them.

[badbackjonny]

In short, yes! If there is anything to see they will be able to see it (if they are looking for it). What they see on the screen in like a slice through the body. so its not just the spine, or any other area. If you bring it up when they are giving you the results they can go back to the scan and relook at it if they have to.

Good luck!

[johnsmith]

The MRI may or may not. Muscular issues which cause pain will not show up on an MRI scan.