Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects the shape of red blood cells and can cause various complications, including those affecting the cervical spine. MRI is a useful imaging modality for evaluating cervical spine involvement in SCD.

On MRI, cervical spine involvement in SCD may manifest as avascular necrosis (AVN) of the vertebral bodies, which is a result of ischemia and infarction of the bone marrow. This can lead to collapse of the vertebral body and subsequent compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. AVN appears as areas of low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, with associated bone marrow edema and enhancement of the surrounding soft tissues after contrast administration.

Additionally, SCD can cause cervical cord infarction, which may present as a high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in the affected area. Cervical cord infarction can also cause associated edema and swelling, resulting in spinal cord compression and potential neurologic deficits.

Other potential MRI findings in SCD may include disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and cervical myelopathy, which can be caused by various mechanisms related to the abnormal shape and function of red blood cells.