Someone recently told me online that their treating physician tried to look at the coccyx MRI, to try to find the cause of the person’s coccyx pain (tailbone pain, coccydynia). But the physician reportedly said that the MRI images of the coccyx looked “fuzzy,” so they were not able to see very much detail.
What Causes “Fuzzy” MRI images of the Coccyx (Tailbone) in Patients with Coccyx Pain (Tailbone Pain, Coccydynia)?
-
Most common reason for “fuzzy” MRI images of the coccyx: Lack of T-1 sagittal images of the coccyx.
- When coccyx images are “fuzzy” in terms of the appearance of the bones, it is typically because it is not a “T1” view. Especially problematic, and unfortunately common, is that the images fails to include a “T-1 sagittal view” of the coccyx.
- You can read more here about T-1 images on a coccyx MRI: https://tailbonedoctor.com/tailbone-mri-t1-vs-t2-stir-images-on-coccyx-mri/
- You can read more here about sagittal images on a coccyx MRI: https://tailbonedoctor.com/thin-sagittal-images-for-tailbone-mri-or-ct-scans/
-
Second most common explanation for “fuzzy” MRI images of the coccyx: lower quality magnet in the MRI machine.
- The quality of an MRI image depends upon not only the technique that is used (as discussed above) but also the quality (strength) of the magnet within the MRI machine.
- Magnet strength is measured in “Tesla.”
- Most modern MRI machines have a magnet strength of 1.0 Tesla or even 3.0 Tesla. Any machine with a 1.0 Tesla magnet strength or better will usually give a good quality image of the coccyx as long as the technique is done properly. (Essentially, a 1.0 Tesla magnet is strong enough to give a good image, but to get that could image the MRI technician needs to use the machine properly in order to get the optimal views, such as the T-1 and T-2 sagittal images, as discussed above.)
- Lower quality MRI images will usually be seen if the MRI has a weaker magnets strength, such as an MRI with only a 0.5 Tesla magnet.
- “Open” MRI machines cause less claustrophobia for the patient while they are in the machine, but unfortunately the trade-off is that the open MRI machines usually have a lower quality/strength magnet.
GET THE BOOK: To get your copy of the book “Tailbone Pain Relief Now!” go to: www.TailboneBook.com or go to Amazon.
COME FOR RELIEF: For more information on coccyx pain, or to be evaluated in-person at Dr. Foye’s Tailbone Pain Center in the United States, go to: www.TailboneDoctor.com
– Patrick Foye, M.D., Director of the Coccyx Pain Center, New Jersey, United States.
Founder and Director at Tailbone Pain Center
Dr. Foye is an expert at treating tailbone pain (coccyx pain).
His personable, private-practice office is located on a modern, renowned, academic medical school campus, at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
For an appointment, call 973-972-2802.
https://tailbonedoctor.com/
His personable, private-practice office is located on a modern, renowned, academic medical school campus, at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
For an appointment, call 973-972-2802.
https://tailbonedoctor.com/
Latest posts by Patrick Foye, M.D. (see all)
- Tailbone Pain Awareness Day: November 13, 2024 - November 11, 2024
- Before coccyx mobilization (manipulation), FIRST DIAGNOSE the CAUSE of tailbone pain - July 30, 2024
- Coccygectomy: Expected Recovery and Return to Work after surgery for coccyx pain, tailbone pain. - November 28, 2023
