Spine imaging Flashcards
T or F: A Chiari Malformation can be see on a cervical spine image
true
Cancer that begins in the plasma cells in bone marrow is known as
multiple myeloma
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?
thoracic outlet syndrome
The alignment light for the lumbar scan should be centered to approximately the vertebral level:
L3
Which of the following is the most inferior portion of the spinal cord
conus medullaris
Axial slices in the thoracic region are usually how many blocks of slice groups
2
A pillow/wedge is placed under the patient’s knees to:
reduce the natural lordotic curvature, places the vertebrae closer to the coil, patient comform (unless they cannot tolerate it)
Axial slices through the thoracic spine are angled parallel to
disc spaces
T or F: Contrast is routinely used in the cervical spine for patients with a diagnosis of MS.
true
Coronal slices are set up in the sacrum and coccyx:
parallel to the sacrum
At which level does the spinal cord typically terminate?
L1-L2
In spine imaging, to rule out metastatic lesions of the spinal cord, contrast enhancement can be used with T1 weighted images because:
Metastatic lesions enhance and normal cord does not
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):
Using a large FOV localizer and counting down from C2
Flow from CSF in the thoracic spine can be minimized by utilizing:
saturation pulses
T or F: Spinal schwannomas arise from nerves within the spinal canal.
true
The alignment light for the thoracic spine is centered to vertebral level:
T4
T or F: Additional thinner axial slices are often prescribed through areas of pathology.
true
What pathology does “sugar coating” represent
spinal cord metastases
T or F: A common artifact seen when scanning the cervical spine region is the result of swallowing motion.
true
T or F: Patients may be positioned feet first supine for an MRI of the lumbar spine.
true
T or F: Myeloma is the medical term for a tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord.
false
T or F: Scar tissue enhances immediately after the injection, but disc material does not
true
Doing a coronal series in the lumbar region can help with plotting the axial slices, but also helps visualize:
scoliosis
T or F: All halos are MRI safe.
false
Which of the following anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx?
filum terminale
T or F: FOV boundaries for sagittal thoracic spine images include from T2 to L1
false
T or F: SNR is dependent on the quality of the coil
true
For optimal imaging of the cervical spine, patient positioning and local coil placement are:
Supine/around the neck to include from C1 to C7
Where is the alignment line for the sacrum and coccyx images?
ASIS
T or F: Contrast is routinely used for disc disease in the cervical spine.
false
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?
use a flex coil
