Week 9: Neck and Back Flashcards
What is the patient position during MRIs of the neck and thoracic spine?
Supine, headfirst
What is the patient’s body position during MRIs of the neck and back?
With the body’s midsagittal line perpendicular to the alignment light
What landmark is used for positioning for MRIs of the neck?
At the level of C4, at the carotid bifurcation
What 2 receiver coils could be used during MRIs of the neck?
- CTL neck coil
- NV coil
When would an NV coil be used over a CTL neck coil?
When an MRA COW and an MRA carotids are ordered together, as this coil can be used for both exams.
What kind of support is used for the patient during MRIs of the neck and thoracic spine?
Cushions to support the sides of the head and lumbar
What kind of hearing protection are patients given for MRIs of the neck and thoracic spine?
Earplugs
What is sequence options are utilized during an MRA carotids?
- Flow Compensation.
- Superior saturation band.
What are the two protocols of an MRA carotids?
- Axial 2-D TOF SPGR
- Axial 3-D TOF SPGR
How are slices plotted during the axial 2-D ToF SPGR protocol of an MRA carotid?
Slices are plotted inferior to superior; Starting at the aortic arch and ending just passed the Foramen Magnum
If we recall week eight and the ideal use for 2-D and 3-D imaging, why does the MRA carotid study include both 2-D and 3-D axial TOF SPGE protocols?
Because it covers a long area (from the aorta all the way up to the brain) AND is also highly vascular and detailed.
During the axial 3-D time of flight, spoiled gradient echo protocol of an MRA carotids, the technologist plots a 3-D slab to cover what?
Both the left and right bifurcations of the internal/external carotid arteries
What are the three arterial branches that originate from the aortic arch?
- Brachiocephalic.
- Left common carotid.
- Left subclavian.
The common carotid arteries bifurcate into what and at what level?
The internal and external carotids; at the level of C4
To where does the internal carotid artery supply oxygenated blood?
To the brain
To where does the external carotid artery supply oxygenated blood?
To the superficial structures of the face and head
To where, and via what, do the right and left vertebral arteries supply oxygenated blood?
To the posterior vertebral region and the COW region; via the basilar artery
What are four clinical concerns for an MRA carotid?
- Aneurysms.
- Transient ischemic attack.
- Stenotic disease.
- Dissection.
Describe an aneurysm.
The formation of a bulb-like protrusion in an artery due to weak arterial walls
TIAs are extensive, time consuming attacks. True or false?
False; TIAs are brief, stroke-like attacks that resolve quickly
When would a transient ischemic attack occur and what would it include?
Occurs when blood flow in the carotids or COW is briefly obstructed; includes unilateral body weakness, vision issues, and slurred speech
The narrowing of space within an artery or vein that limits the flow of blood is known as what?
Stenotic Disease
Dissection is when ________ walls split internally, causing blood blockages.
Arterial
What are the 7 protocols of an MRI soft tissue neck?
- Sagittal T1.
- Axial T2
- Axial IR.
- Axial T1, pre-contrast.
- Coral T1, pre-contrast.
- Axial T1, post contrast.
- Coronal T1, post contrast.
The sagittal T1 protocol of an MRI soft tissue neck views sagittal midline structures, like what?
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
The axial T1, pre-and post-contrast protocols of an MRI soft tissue neck obtains contrast-enhanced, cross-sectional views of what five anatomical structures?
- Pharynx
- Thyroid.
- Parathyroid.
- Salivary glands.
- Abnormal masses.
The axial T2 protocol of an MRI soft tissue neck gives cross-sectional views to evaluate any _________ signals.
Abnormal
What does the axial IR protocol of an MRI soft tissue neck evaluate for?
Abnormal fluid patterns, like edema and infection
The coronal T1, pre-and post-contrast protocols of an MRI soft tissue neck obtains contrast-enhanced, frontal views of what 3 anatomical structures?
- Thyroid.
- Epiglottis.
- Abnormal masses.
What sequence options are utilized during an MRI soft tissue neck?
- Flow compensation.
- Inferior saturation band.
What sequence options are utilized during any MRIs of the spine or sacrum?
- Flow compensation.
- Saturation band, location depending on phase direction.
What are the 8 protocols of an MRI cervical spine?
- Sagittal T2.
- Sagittal T1, pre-contrast.
- Sagittal T1, post contrast.
- Sagittal IR.
- Axial T2 low.
- Axial T2 up
- Axial merge.
- Coronal PD.
What do the sagittal T2 protocols of spinal MRIs check for?
Anterior/posterior disc herniations
What are five pathologies that can be evaluated on the sagittal IR protocol of an MRI cervical spine?
- Spinal cord abnormalities.
- Syrinx
- Pars defect.
- Vertebral fractures.
- Muscle tears.
The wash-in/wash-out effect of gadolinium during the sagittal T1, pre- and post-contrast protocols of spinal MRIs help to evaluate what 2 pathologies?
- Facet arthritis.
- Abnormal masses.
The axial T2, low protocol of an MRI cervical spine visualizes what vertebrae?
T1 - C4
The axial T2 protocols of spinal MRIs include cross-sectional views of the __________ and _________________.
Spinal cord and vertebral discs
The axial T2 protocols of spinal MRIs evaluate what two types of herniations?
- Central herniations.
- Paracentral herniations.
The axial T2, up protocol of an MRI cervical spine visualizes what vertebrae?
C4 - Clivus