How to Read a MRI of Cervical Nerve Compression

Dr. Donald Corenman created this video "Understanding an MRI of Cervical Nerve Compression" to help primary care physicians or specialists, to learn how to read these specific MRIs.

Understanding an MRI of cervical nerve compression that may ultimately cause neck pain becomes crucial because just because there might be a compressed nerve, doesn't necessarily mean there will be symptoms. This is why the patient physical examination is so important.
Within the cervical spine, the foramen (or holes the nerves exit from) take some time to visualize and understand what is normal and what is narrowed or compressed. 
The uncovertebral joint can enlarge by bone spur formation and can compress the nerve. A disc herniation can also compress the nerve and that has a different appearance from the uncovertebral joint spur. Understanding an MRI of cervical nerve compression will help accurately diagnose the condition at hand.