Spine imaging

Question 1

T or F: A Chiari Malformation can be see on a cervical spine image

Answer 1

true

Question 2

Cancer that begins in the plasma cells in bone marrow is known as

Answer 2

multiple myeloma

Question 3

A patient presents with pain in the neck and shoulder, numbness and tingling in the fingers, and a weak grip. Which of the following is most likely the cause?

Answer 3

thoracic outlet syndrome

Question 4

The alignment light for the lumbar scan should be centered to approximately the vertebral level:

Answer 4

L3

Question 5

Which of the following is the most inferior portion of the spinal cord

Answer 5

conus medullaris

Question 6

Axial slices in the thoracic region are usually how many blocks of slice groups

Answer 6

2

Question 7

A pillow/wedge is placed under the patient’s knees to:

Answer 7

reduce the natural lordotic curvature, places the vertebrae closer to the coil, patient comform (unless they cannot tolerate it)

Question 8

Axial slices through the thoracic spine are angled parallel to

Answer 8

disc spaces

Question 9

T or F: Contrast is routinely used in the cervical spine for patients with a diagnosis of MS.

Answer 9

true

Question 10

Coronal slices are set up in the sacrum and coccyx:

Answer 10

parallel to the sacrum

Question 11

At which level does the spinal cord typically terminate?

Answer 11

L1-L2

Question 12

In spine imaging, to rule out metastatic lesions of the spinal cord, contrast enhancement can be used with T1 weighted images because:

Answer 12

Metastatic lesions enhance and normal cord does not

Question 13

On sagittal T-Spine images that demonstrate cord compression, the vertebral level can be determined by (think about how you determine this in clinicals when scanning):

Answer 13

Using a large FOV localizer and counting down from C2

Question 14

Flow from CSF in the thoracic spine can be minimized by utilizing:

Answer 14

saturation pulses

Question 15

T or F: Spinal schwannomas arise from nerves within the spinal canal.

Answer 15

true

Question 16

The alignment light for the thoracic spine is centered to vertebral level:

Answer 16

T4

Question 17

T or F: Additional thinner axial slices are often prescribed through areas of pathology.

Answer 17

true

Question 18

What pathology does “sugar coating” represent

Answer 18

spinal cord metastases

Question 19

T or F: A common artifact seen when scanning the cervical spine region is the result of swallowing motion.

Answer 19

true

Question 20

T or F: Patients may be positioned feet first supine for an MRI of the lumbar spine.

Answer 20

true

Question 21

T or F: Myeloma is the medical term for a tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord.

Answer 21

false

Question 22

T or F: Scar tissue enhances immediately after the injection, but disc material does not

Answer 22

true

Question 23

Doing a coronal series in the lumbar region can help with plotting the axial slices, but also helps visualize:

Answer 23

scoliosis

Question 24

T or F: All halos are MRI safe.

Answer 24

false

Question 25

Which of the following anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx?

Answer 25

filum terminale

Question 26

T or F: FOV boundaries for sagittal thoracic spine images include from T2 to L1

Answer 26

false

Question 27

T or F: SNR is dependent on the quality of the coil

Answer 27

true

Question 28

For optimal imaging of the cervical spine, patient positioning and local coil placement are:

Answer 28

Supine/around the neck to include from C1 to C7

Question 29

Where is the alignment line for the sacrum and coccyx images?

Answer 29

ASIS

Question 30

T or F: Contrast is routinely used for disc disease in the cervical spine.

Answer 30

false

Question 31

If a patient will not fit in the spine coil with the anterior aspect snapped down, which of the following would be the next best option to obtain the best possible SNR?

Answer 31

use a flex coil