Introduction:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one the most important diagnostic techniques, and the use of MRI scanners is becoming progressively more extensive and increase annually worldwide and in Poland. MRI scans are used by neurosurgeons, orthopedists and neurologists indicating that the diseases most frequently diagnosed using MRI are related to musculoskeletal and central nervous system dysfunction.

Aim:
The main aim of this study was to determine the extent of MRI scanner utilization in the University Clinical Hospital (UCH) in Olsztyn, in the years 2011–2015 and to examine data sets concerning spinal and back injuries, the age and sex of patients within the most frequently examined sub-populations.

Material and methods:
Analyses were performed using the patients’ digital database including 13 298 MRI reports in UCH, in years 2011–2015.

Results and discussion:
The results show that the use of MRI scanner in the UCH increased over the study period. The diseases most frequently diagnosed using MRI were musculoskeletal diseases, among which the spinal diseases were most common. More women than men were enrolled in the diagnostic tests and majority of patients were in the age range of 50–61 years.

Conclusions:
The number of MRI tests indicates high demand for MRI scanners in the Warmia and Mazury Province. As the intervertebral disc disorders are most common in people of working age (51–60 years), early checkups and prevention of vertebral column diseases should be implemented at younger age, by introducing examinations followed by recommendations of corrective gymnastics and/or physiotherapy when indications of pathological changes are noticed.