MRI is used to identify which conditions in radicular symptoms?

• A. Herniations, stenosis, inflammatory or infectious processes
• B. Cardiac conditions
• C. Lung diseases
• D. Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Answer: (A)

Radicular symptoms come from irritation or compression of spinal nerve roots, so MRI is ideal because it shows detailed soft-tissue and neural structures of the spine. It can directly reveal disc herniations that press on a nerve root, degenerative changes that cause central or foraminal stenosis narrowing the space the nerve travels through, and inflammatory or infectious processes such as discitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, or epidural abscess that irritate or compress nerves. These findings align with the cause of radicular pain and guide treatment. Conditions like cardiac issues, lung diseases, or abdominal aortic aneurysm involve other organ systems and are assessed with different tests, not spine MRI.