MRI neurography is a specialized MRI technique that images peripheral nerves and surrounding soft tissues with high detail. It uses nerve‑sensitive pulse sequences and fat suppression to highlight nerve anatomy and pathology—such as compression, inflammation, trauma, or tumors—helping diagnosis and surgical planning. The test is noninvasive, involves no ionizing radiation, and may sometimes use contrast.

Insurance coverage for MR neurography varies. Many insurers, including Medicare, may cover it when documented as medically necessary for diagnosing nerve conditions, but prior authorization, physician referral and detailed clinical notes are often required. Some plans may consider it advanced or experimental and deny coverage, leaving the patient responsible for costs. Verify benefits with your insurer and obtain preauthorization.

An MRI of the upper extremity provides detailed cross-sectional images of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, cartilage, bone marrow and surrounding soft tissues. It detects fractures, rotator-cuff or tendon tears, nerve entrapments, inflammation, infections, tumors, arthritis and soft-tissue masses, and assesses injury extent and postoperative changes—helping guide diagnosis, treatment planning and surgical decisions.

MR neurography is performed by an MRI team: an MRI technologist acquires the specialized scans, while a radiologist—often a neuroradiologist or musculoskeletal radiologist—interprets and reports the images. Referrals typically come from neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, or pain specialists. Complex cases may involve a multidisciplinary team (clinicians, radiologists and physiotherapists) to plan treatment.

MRI can detect many neurological conditions by producing detailed brain and spinal cord images. It reliably shows strokes, tumors, multiple sclerosis plaques, infections, inflammation, structural malformations and some degenerative changes. However, MRI may miss very early, microscopic, metabolic or functional abnormalities; contrast agents and specialized sequences improve detection. Diagnosis often combines MRI with clinical examination and other tests.

Neurography refers to diagnostic techniques that visualize or record peripheral nerves to assess their structure and function. Magnetic resonance neurography produces detailed images of nerve anatomy to detect injury, entrapment, inflammation, or tumors; electroneurography and nerve conduction studies record electrical signals to evaluate nerve function and conduction speed. These tests help diagnose neuropathies and guide treatment.