MRI neurography is a specialized MRI technique that produces high-resolution images of peripheral nerves and surrounding tissues. Using fat-suppressed and T2-weighted sequences, it shows nerve signal changes, enlargement, compression, and associated muscle denervation. It helps diagnose entrapment, trauma, inflammatory neuropathies, and tumors. The test is noninvasive, involves no ionizing radiation, and may use gadolinium contrast when needed.

Neurography refers to diagnostic methods that map or assess peripheral nerves. It can mean imaging-based techniques—most commonly magnetic resonance neurography or ultrasound—which visualize nerve anatomy, entrapment, inflammation, tumors or injury; or electrodiagnostic neurography (nerve conduction studies/electromyography), which measures nerve signal conduction and muscle response to detect neuropathy, demyelination, or axonal damage.

MRI of the upper extremity visualizes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and nerve structures. It detects tears, strains, inflammation, joint degeneration, bone marrow lesions, occult fractures, infections, tumors and nerve entrapment. It helps evaluate acute injury, chronic pain, unexplained swelling or suspected soft-tissue or intra-articular pathology and guides treatment planning without ionizing radiation.

MR neurography is carried out by MRI teams: MRI technologists operate the scanner and acquire specialized nerve sequences, while a radiologist—often a neuroradiologist—plans the protocol, supervises the exam and interprets the images. Referrals usually come from neurologists, neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons, and results are reported back to the referring clinician for diagnosis and treatment planning.

MRI can detect many neurological diseases by producing detailed brain and spinal cord images. It identifies strokes, tumors, multiple sclerosis, infections, inflammation, structural abnormalities and some degenerative changes. Advanced techniques (diffusion‑weighted, contrast, MR spectroscopy, functional MRI) improve detection. Limitations include very small or early lesions and certain metabolic or functional disorders; clinical assessment and other tests may be needed.

MR neurography is usually performed without intravenous contrast, using specialized high-resolution T2/STIR and diffusion sequences to visualize peripheral nerves. Gadolinium contrast is added selectively for suspected inflammation, infection, tumors, or postoperative/recurrent disease to demonstrate abnormal enhancement. The choice depends on the clinical question and radiologist judgment, with consideration of renal function and gadolinium-related risks.