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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is MRI Required For Pain Above Kidneys Near Spine?

Hello, I ve had a pain in my right back side above kidneys, closer to spine for about two years now. It feels like muscle pain, except sometimes I an actually feel the knots and its not something that goes away after a massage. Should I be getting an MRI or full body catscan?
Tue, 27 Jan 2015
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

A pain in the right upper back can be due to many causes including those involving the spine. The correct approach is to get examined by your doctors and doing a ultrasound scan. The pain from stones in kidneys and gall bladder can be felt in the right upper back. Since you have the pain for 2 years it is important to rule out renal stones, gall bladder stones or anything to do with the liver. This is because the nerves supplying these areas can cause referred pain in the back. If the ultrasound report is not contributory then doing a X ray might be required followed by MRI if indicated after examination of the back clinically done by your doctors. If there is problem with your nerves then MRI scan will help. CAT scan helps only if there is a possible bone abnormality. Whole body scan is not required in every person and only the clinically suspected area is to be scanned.
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Is MRI Required For Pain Above Kidneys Near Spine?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. A pain in the right upper back can be due to many causes including those involving the spine. The correct approach is to get examined by your doctors and doing a ultrasound scan. The pain from stones in kidneys and gall bladder can be felt in the right upper back. Since you have the pain for 2 years it is important to rule out renal stones, gall bladder stones or anything to do with the liver. This is because the nerves supplying these areas can cause referred pain in the back. If the ultrasound report is not contributory then doing a X ray might be required followed by MRI if indicated after examination of the back clinically done by your doctors. If there is problem with your nerves then MRI scan will help. CAT scan helps only if there is a possible bone abnormality. Whole body scan is not required in every person and only the clinically suspected area is to be scanned.