MagniscreenMRI Protocols & Planning
Protocol Explorer

Spine protocol

Cervical Spine MRI

Routine cervical spine MRI protocol for neck pain, radiculopathy, multiple sclerosis, trauma, infection/inflammation, and selected postcontrast indications. Includes GRE, FSE, and 3D SPACE sagittal sequences with axial reformats.

spinecervicalneck painradiculopathymultiple sclerosispost-operativetraumawithout contrastconditional contrast

For protocol planning and internal reference only. Follow institutional MRI safety screening, contrast, dosage, and GFR policies.

Decision supportContrast GuidanceDefault contrast approach and conditional indications.

Contrast indications

  • Posterior surgery
  • Metastatic disease
  • Cord compression

Dose notes

  • Follow department policy regarding contrast administration and dosing.
  • Refer to policy regarding dosage and GFR deficiencies.
Acquisition listSequencesRequired and conditional series for the exam.
SequencePlanePhaseRequiredNotes
LocalizerAnynoncontrastYes-
Sagittal T2sagittalnoncontrastYes-
Sagittal T1sagittalnoncontrastYes-
Sagittal STIRsagittalnoncontrastYes-
Axial GREaxialnoncontrastYes-
Axial T2 FSEaxialnoncontrastYes-
Sagittal SPACE 3DsagittalnoncontrastYesMust use isotropic voxels to allow reformatting into axial images.
Axial T1axialprecontrastConditionalAcquire when contrast is indicated.
InjectAnyconditionalConditionalPerform injection step when contrast is indicated.
Sagittal T1 +CsagittalpostcontrastConditionalAcquire when contrast is indicated.
Axial T1 +CaxialpostcontrastConditionalAcquire when contrast is indicated.
PositioningSlice PlanningPlane-specific planning instructions and guide images for technologists.

sagittal

Sagittal planning

  • Align slices parallel to the cervical spine.
  • Cover from above the foramen magnum to the second thoracic vertebra (T2).
  • Cover through the neural foramen of each disc space left to right.
  • SPACE 3D must use isotropic voxels to allow axial reformatting.

Cervical spine sagittal planning

sagittal

Source slide: 29. Cropped planning image from CERVICAL SPINE CENTER AT C4 / Sagittal.

axial

Axial planning

  • Align slices parallel to the disc spaces.
  • Cover contiguously from C2 to T1.

Cervical spine axial planning

axial

Source slide: 31. Cropped planning image from CERVICAL SPINE / Axial.

SPACE 3D reformat

  • Reformat Sagittal SPACE 3D into axial images maintaining isotropic voxels.
Anatomic extentCoverage RulesMinimum coverage expectations and alignment rules.

sagittal

Sagittal field of view

Cover from above the foramen magnum to the second thoracic vertebra (T2).

sagittal

Sagittal lateral coverage

Cover through the neural foramen of each disc space left to right.

axial

Axial field of view

Cover contiguously from C2 to T1.

TechniqueSuggested Technique SpecificationsPlane-level vendor-neutral guidance from the source protocol.

sagittal

slice thickness
<= 3.0 mm
gap
<= 1.0 mm

axial

slice thickness
<= 3.0 mm
gap
<= 1.0 mm
Conditional workflowSpecial SituationsAdjustments for contrast, hardware, and protocol-specific conditions.

Contrast indicated

  • Add axial T1 precontrast sequence.
  • Perform injection step.
  • Add sagittal T1 postcontrast sequence.
  • Add axial T1 postcontrast sequence.

Surgical hardware present

  • Run T2 Axial FSE or SE sequence.
Future detailAdvancedSource-backed scanner, vendor, and site-specific notes when available.

Advanced technical details, scanner variants, and planning guide assets can appear here as protocol data expands.