[MRT diagnosis for degenerative changes in the spine].

MRT is very well suited to the diagnosis of degenerative alterations in the spine. The option of imaging in multiple planes, the excellent soft-tissue contrast offering tissue differentiation, the absence of hardening artefacts and the avoidance of exposure to radiation have led to a shift in favour of MRT for diagnosis. In the present paper the MRT characteristics of the most important degenerative alterations that affect the spine are discussed.