Are neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons equally qualified to interprete spine/brain mris for any type of injuries or damages? if one doesn't agree with the other, who overrules?

Both : Both have special skills to interpret mri's of the spine and brain. If there is a conflict of opinion they will usually discuss their findings with each other to come to a consensus. Failing that the films may be forwarded for an independent opinion.

Both : Both neurologists and neurosurgeons are well adept at interpreting mri's of the brain and/or spine. A neurologist is a specialized field of internal medicine, and they specialize in diagnosis. A neurosurgeon is a surgeon who operates on nerves, be it brain, spine, or nerves elsewhere in the body. Neurologists don't do surgery. There is no "overruling" between these specialties. Doctors don't always agree, and when they don't, the smart thing to do is to seek another opinion, and perhaps even another, until you have a feel for what the majority is saying, or you find someone who seems to understand your condition better than most. Without knowing your problem, in general, i would start with a neurologist, get a diagnosis, and if you need surgery, the neurosurgeon is next stop. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Neurosurgeons : Neurosurgeons look at mris of the spine and brain to plan their approach to a problem, using these studies as part of their toolbox for evaluating patients. They are very good at reading the studies--probably better than a diagnostic radiologist who is not formally trained in neuroradiology (which takes an additional one or two years after the four-year radiology traioning program). On the other hand, neuroradiologists spend their entire careers looking at these studies. By sheer volume alone, they vastly exceed the experience of a typical neurosurgeon. While he or she may not always agree with the neuroradiologogist's interpretation (just as one neuroradiologist may not always agree with another), a wise neurosurgeon will usually rely on the neuroradiologist when there is any question about a diagnosis.

Good : Good question but impossible to answer since their qualifications are not equal, they are different. A radiologist has more experience reviewing mris but a neurosurgeon has the advantage of correlating MRI findings with clinical examination. Ideally, the two would work together to review the MRI together. If there is a difference of opinion, further testing or repeat imaging may be indicated.