# Weight-bearing MRI of the cervical spine: A scoping review of clinical utility and emerging applications

## TL;DR

Weight-bearing MRI of the cervical spine can reveal hidden issues under normal body weight, offering new insights not seen in traditional imaging methods.

## Contribution

This scoping review maps the clinical and emerging applications of weight-bearing MRI for cervical spine assessment.

## Key findings

- Weight-bearing MRI detects posture-dependent changes like spinal canal narrowing and cord compression.
- Findings are more pronounced in upright and dynamic postures compared to supine imaging.
- Normative metrics for CCJ motion and soft tissue width have been established.

## Abstract

Weight-bearing magnetic resonance imaging enables assessment of the cervical spine and craniocervical junction under physiological load, potentially revealing pathology that is occult on conventional supine imaging. This scoping review synthesizes current evidence, maps clinical and emerging applications, and identifies key gaps requiring further investigation.

A structured search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar (July 2025). Eligible studies were reviewed for diagnostic utility, technical considerations, clinical indications, and outcomes. Methodological quality was appraised descriptively in line with Joanna Briggs Institute guidance.

Nine studies, published between 2008 and 2025, met inclusion criteria. Upright and dynamic MRI detected posture-dependent changes including spinal canal narrowing, cord compression, foraminal stenosis, ligamentous buckling, cerebellar tonsillar descent, altered sagittal alignment, and CSF flow differences. Findings were more pronounced in flexion extension and upright postures compared with supine imaging. Normative studies established reference metrics for CCJ motion and prevertebral soft tissue width. Preliminary evidence also highlights applications in connective tissue disorders, Chiari malformation, and upper cervical chiropractic practice, although most studies were feasibility reports with small sample sizes and heterogeneous protocols.

Emerging evidence suggests that WBMRI provides added diagnostic value in selected cervical spine and CCJ conditions by revealing dynamic or load-sensitive pathology not captured on standard supine imaging. While current evidence remains preliminary, standardized protocols, higher-field technologies, and large multicenter outcome-based studies are essential to validate diagnostic thresholds, improve reproducibility, and define the role of WBMRI in routine clinical care.