High-Resolution 7 Tesla MRI to Study Cervical Spine Nerve Roots, Vertebral Artery, and Anatomy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of high-resolution 7 Tesla MRI to examine the cervical spine with a focus on differentiating nerve roots and surrounding tissues within the neural foramina. This imaging also allows detailed assessment of the vertebral arterys anatomy and its relationship to nearby neural structures. The study aims to establish standard measurements of nerve roots, ganglia, and neuroforamen diameters as reference values. Participants will undergo 7 Tesla MRI scans to capture detailed images of their cervical spine. The study includes individuals over 18 years old who have chronic back pain lasting more than 2 months without recent trauma or prior MRI for clinical reasons, as well as asymptomatic participants to depict normal microanatomy. No treatments are administered, as this is an observational diagnostic imaging study. During the study, participants will be assessed through the MRI scans to measure nerve and ganglia diameters in millimeters and to evaluate the relationship between the vertebral artery and neural structures by checking for the presence of fat tissue between them. These measures will be recorded and analyzed over approximately one year. The study is sponsored by Balgrist University Hospital and will continue until September 2027.

7 Tesla MRI Evaluation of the Spine (Asymptomatic)