MRI Protocols

Beaverton MRI with patient's choice of ambient lighting

This page contains the most recent and up-to-date definitions of all routine OHSU MRI protocols and subvariants. These MRI protocol definitions are intended for use by radiologists, technologists, and referring clinicians. OHSU radiologists work closely with OHSU MRI technologists in the art and science of creating optimal images using the latest technology. Protocols listed below have been reviewed and approved by a radiologist as of the version date listed.

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Body imaging protocols currently applied in our MRI section.  Radiologists work closely with OHSU MRI techs in the art of creating optimal images from current technology. Dr. Alice Fung has approved the protocols below.  All body protocols for pediatric patients are under Pediatric Protocols.

Technologist Tips

  • Page the Body Radiologist to check images if you have any questions regarding the exam.
  • For all Pelvic MRI studies except the Bladder Protocol or the MR Urogram: Please have the patient void their bladder prior to exam to improve image quality.

ABDOMEN and PELVIS W/WO
ABDOMEN/PELVIS APPENDICITIS WO
ADRENAL MASS W/WO

DEFECOGRAPHY WO- updated 12/8/2023

ELASTOGRAPHY WO - updated 10/13/2023

ENTEROGRAPHY W/WO - updated 5/11/2022

FEMALE PELVIS BRACHYTHERAPY PLANNING WWO - updated 5/11/2022
FEMALE PELVIS FAST BRACHYTHERAPY PLANNING WO - updated 5/11/2022
FEMALE PELVIS CERVICAL CANCER STAGING W/WO  - updated 12/8/2023
FEMALE PELVIS CONGENITAL WO - added 10/30/2023
FEMALE PELVIS FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS W/WO - updated 3/25/2021
FEMALE PELVIS UTERINE CANCER STAGING W/WO - updated 12/8/2023
FEMALE PELVIS / SOFT TISSUE PELVIS W/WO - updated 9/8/20
FEMALE PELVIS UAE W/WO

FULL BODY WO - added 4/28/2023
FULL BODY WWO - added 4/28/2023

LIVER MASS W/WO - updated 1/31/2024
LIVER MASS WO & MRCP  - updated 1/31/2024
LIVER MASS W/WO & MRCP with EOVIST - updated 1/31/2024
LIVER MASS W/WO & MRCP - updated 1/31/2024
LIVER MASS W/WO EOVIST - updated 1/31/2024
LIVER MASS WO IRON (Fe) QUANTIFICATION - updated 1/31/2024
LIVER MASS W/WO IRON (Fe) QUANTIFICATION - updated 1/31/2024
PANCREAS W/WO MRCP - updated 1/31/2024
PANCREAS W/WO SECRETIN - updated 1/31/2024
PELVIMETRY WO
PERIANAL FISTULA W/WO -Updated 10/12/2021
PLACENTA WO
PROSTATE W/WO
RECTUM/RECTAL CA W/WO -Updated 9/20/2021
RENAL DONOR W/WO -Added 6/13/2022
RENAL MASS W/WO
RENAL ARTERIAL SCLEROSIS W/WO
SCROTUM W/WO
UROGRAM W/WO -Updated 10/3/2023

MRA MESENTERIC VESSELS - Added 4/28/2023
MRA RENAL ARTERIES - Added 4/28/2023
MRA ABDOMEN PELVIS AAA WO - Added 4/28/2023
MRA ABDOMEN WO - Added 4/28/2023
MRA PELVIS VENOUS CONGESTION - Added 4/28/2023
MRA MRV ABDOMEN PELVIS - Added 4/28/2023

Breast Imaging  protocols currently applied in our MRI section.  Radiologists work closely with OHSU MRI techs in the art of creating optimal images from current technology. Dr. Karen Oh has approved the protocols below. 

MR Bilateral Breasts WWO Protocol
MR ISPY Breast Protocol
MR Breast Biopsy - Protocol for Technologists
MR Breast Biopsy - Post & Pillar Biopsy Method
MR Breast - Guided Wire Localization

MSK protocols currently applied in our MRI section.  Radiologists work closely with OHSU MRI techs in the art of creating optimal images from current technology. Dr. Barry Hansford has approved the protocols below.  All MSK protocols for pediatric patients are under Pediatric Protocols.

ANY INFECTION/OSTEO CASE REGARDLESS OF BODY PART:

  • If infection/osteo is a diagnostic consideration, please run 3 PLANES T1 without FS. (Infection cases aren't always ordered with contrast).
  • If for infection/osteo and is ordered with GAD, always run 3 PLANES T1 without FS PRE contrast.  (Infection cases aren't always ordered with contrast).
  • If GAD is administered, all the post contrast imaging must be fat sat, there is zero value in non fat sat post contrast imaging for MSK. 
  • DIFFICULT PATIENTS: Start exams with AX T1 non-fat sat sequences in case the exam is terminated early for difficult patients.

IF HARDWARE IS PRESENT IN THE AREA OF INTEREST:

  • Try to assess beforehand whether or not hardware will interfere with protocol. Hardware doesn't necessarily mean you have to change the protocol. If available, Check an X-ray. You may be able to decide before hand (discuss with radiologist if needed).
  • Try a fat-sat mid-TE sequence- is there too much susceptibility artifact and/or inhomogeneous fat suppression? (discuss with radiologist if needed)
  • If the protocol needs to be modified: 
    • Perform on 1.5T
    • Increase Bandwidth if possible
    • Run non-fat-sat mid-TE sequences or STIR instead of fat-sat mid-TE
    • If post-contrast, do non-fat-sat T1 instead of fat-sat T1

Upper extremities

MSK MR Adult Shoulder

Lower extremities

ANKLE WO
ANKLE W/WO
ANKLE R/O AVN – BILATERAL
ANKLE PLANTAR FLEXION WO
ANKLE ACHILLES TENDON WO
FEMUR WO or W/WO
FOOT- FOREFOOT WO or W/WO
FOOT- HINDFOOT WO or W/WO
FOOT- ENTIRE FOOT WO or W/WO
HIP WO – ROUTINE
HIP WO – ORTHO DETAIL
HIP W/WO – (Unilateral or Bilateral)
HIP WO FOR AVN – UNILATERAL OR BILATERAL
HIP ARTHROGRAM WO - UNILATERAL
HIP SHRINERS – BILATERAL
KNEE ROUTINE WO
KNEE W/WO
KNEE ROUTINE WO + FEMORAL ANTEVERSION
KNEE ARTHROGRAM WO
KNEE QUAD RUPTURE WO
KNEE MATERIALISE WO - added 9/25/19
KNEE OSTEOCHONDRAL PLANNING WO - added 9/27/19
LUMBOSACRAL PLEXUS WO or W/WO
PELVIS WO
PELVIS WO (Fast Fracture Evaluation) 
PELVIS W/WO
PELVIS HAMSTRING WO
PELVIS SPORTS HERNIA WO
PELVIS PIRIFORMIS WO
PELVIS SACROILIITIS / SI JOINTS / SACRUM WO OR WWO
TIB/FIB WO or W/WO
TOE WO OR W/WO

Chest

Neuroradiology protocols currently applied in our MRI section.  Radiologists work closely with OHSU MRI techs in the art of creating optimal images from current technology. Dr. David Pettersson has approved the protocols below. 

Brain

MRI Brain Image

1/12/2021: Urgent note for technologists: for pre-op stereotactic and stealth exams with motion, notifyNavTeam@ohsu.edu of the issue.

DIAGNOSITC BRAIN AND PITUITARY IMAGING:

SURGICAL & RADIATION PLANNING: 

VASCULAR IMAGING:

ADD-ON SEQUENCES:

ENT

Spine

CERVICAL SPINE:

THORACIC SPINE: 

LUMBAR SPINE:

TOTAL SPINE:

Pediatric imaging protocols currently applied in our MRI section.  Radiologists work closely with OHSU MRI techs in the art of creating optimal images from current technology. Dr. Andrew Phelps has approved the protocols below.  The pediatric radiologists will usually protocol specific sequences they need in RIS. If not, follow the adult protocol, but make changes to the slice, gap, and FOV as needed.

Sedated Children and Checking Images

  • As of 5/13/2021 for sedated children only: Pediatric Radiologist must check images before giving contrast and prior to letting the patient off the table unless otherwise stated in the protocol. No need to have images checked on non-sedated children unless there is a question or a concern.
  • Neuro exams do not need to be checked unless there is a question or a concern.
     
  • Pediatric Sedation charge nurse: xt 81904
  • Pediatric Radiology pager: 15816

Body, MSK & Chest

  • Upper extremities from finger to shoulder: use adult MSK protocols with FOV/Slice/Gap adjustments for patient size.
  • Lower extremities NOT listed below: use adult protocols with FOV/Slice/Gap adjustments for patient size.
  • Please run AX T1 FS PRE GAD for all MSK WWO exams.

APPENDICITIS WO - Updated 10/13/2023
ABDOMEN WO or W/WO 
ABDOMEN/PELVIS ROUTINE WO
ABDOMEN/PELVIS ROUTINE W/WO
ENTEROGRAPHY W/WO - Updated 1/13/2022
LIVER MASS W/WO
LIVER MASS with MRCP WO
LIVER MASS with MRCP W/WO
MRCP WO
PANCREAS W/WO with MRCP 
PANCREAS W/WO with MRCP and SECRETIN
RENAL MASS W/WO
RENAL ARTERY STENOSIS W/WO
SCROTUM WO or W/WO  - Updated 1/13/2022
UROGRAM in progress 1/12/2022

CHEST/ABDOMEN/PELVIS WO or W/WO - Updated 1/13/2022
CHEST WO or W/WO - Updated 1/13/2022
CHEST WO (PECTUS/HALLER INDEX)

HIPS BILATERAL POST-REDUCTION WO - Updated 1/13/2022
HIPS PERTHES WWO 
PELVIS ROUTINE W/WO - Updated 1/13/2022
PELVIS RECTOPLASTY WO - Updated 1/13/2022
PELVIS (FEMALE) WO or W/WO - Updated 1/13/2022
PHYSEAL BAR WO
SI JOINTS WO OR W/WO

MRV VASCULAR ACCESS NECK CHEST - Updated 1/13/2022
MRA NECK/CHEST W
MRA UPPER EXTREMITY W/WO
MRA LOWER EXTREMITY BILATERAL (RUN-OFF) W/WO

MRI/MRV LE KLIPPEL-TRENAUNAY W/WO - Updated 1/13/2022
MSK SUBTRACTION W/WO

VASCULAR MALFORMATION WWO - Updated 1/13/2022

WHOLE BODY WO or WWO - Updated 1/12/2022

Important notes -updated 12/2/19

  • Do NOT change any study parameters to reduce scan times, especially if it states in multiple places not to change parameters. 
  • Some exams are NO READ. Be sure to select the appropriate box in EPIC if the exam is not to be read by a radiologist.
  • Do NOT add a screen capture note to the study, as this will capture PHI on the images which will negate the anonymity requirement for the research study.

A4
ADNI 2 /ADNI GO
Athersys B01
Bayer Asteroid
BIOGEN IDEC
Biogen- Ascend
CSOM230C - Acromegaly
DeNovo Knee
EISAI
Focus FH/MIPO
Games- RP
Gaucher
Histogenic Knee (MR3)
INCB
INI (Insulin)
ISIS
Kinespring
Meeker Achilles - new 9/2020
Norvartis Cain 457F2302
Novartis CCNP520A2202J (5175) (Subject) 
Novartis CLCI699
Pfizer A3921119
PPMI
Roche Scarlet Road AD Study
SMM3001 Total Spine and Pelvis WO
Springworks NIR-DT-301
T2 PROTECT AD
Virtual Scopics
Vitamin D- MS Study
XOMA