Table II.

Advantages and disadvantages of radiographs, CT and MR in imaging cervical spine lesions (based on [9])

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Plain radiographs	– easily accessible – low cost – low radiation dose – possibility of imaging in flexion and extension – sufficient to assess the location of vertebrae	– the assessment of anatomical details is difficult, in particular in atlanto-axial joint – no possibility to assess non-calcified structures (soft issues, spinal cord, pannus)
CT	– best method of bones assessment – useful in planning surgical treatment	– high cost in comparison with radiographs – high radiation dose – difficult assessment of soft tissues and spinal cord
MR	– best method of soft tissues and spinal cord assessment – high sensitivity and specificity in instability assessment – method of choice for patients with neurological deficits	– the most costly among all imaging methods – possible contraindications: ferromagnetic implants, artificial cardiac pacemakers, infusion pumps and medical ventilators – long exam duration – in some cases sedation can be necessary (claustrophobia, children)