MRI Protocols

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

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

Fetal MRI Protocols:

Fetal Body & Brain WO — updated 3/14/23
Fetal Brain WO — updated 2025-05-08
Fetal Brain & Spine WO — updated 2025-05-08

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

ELBOW WO

ELBOW W/WO

ELBOW ARTHROGRAM WO

FINGER (not thumb) WO or W/WO

FOREARM WO or WWO

FULL BODY (MSK) - updated 4/28/2023

HAND WO or WWO

HAND RHEUMATOLOGY W/WO

HUMERUS WO or W/WO

SCAPULA WO or W/WO

SHOULDER WO

SHOULDER W/WO

SHOULDER ARTHROGRAM WO

THUMB WO or W/WO

WRIST WO

WRIST W/WO

WRIST ARTHROGRAM WO

WRIST RHEUMATOLOGY (wrist thru MCP)

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

CHEST / SC JOINTS / STERNUM WO OR W/WO

Neuroradiology protocols currently applied in our MRI section. OHSU Radiologists and MRI Technologists work closely together to apply the latest cutting-edge science in creating optimized images with current technology. Dr. Michael Regner has approved the protocols below.

Brain

Important Note for Technologists: for pre-op stereotactic and stealth exams with motion, notifyNavTeam@ohsu.edu of the issue. [Last updated 1/21/2021]

DIAGNOSITC BRAIN:

ROUTINE BRAIN WO — updated 1/21/2022
ROUTINE BRAIN W/WO — updated 1/21/2022
TUMOR BRAIN W/WO WITH PERFUSION — updated 1/21/2022
DEMENTIA BRAIN WO — updated 4/15/2022
DEMENTIA BRAIN WWO — updated 4/15/2022

EPILEPSY BRAIN WO — updated 4/15/22
EPILEPSY BRAIN W/WO — updated 4/15/22

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BRAIN WO — updated 10/18/23
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BRAIN WWO — updated 10/18/23
TRAUMA BRAIN WO — retired 2/2/22
STROKE BRAIN WO — updated 6/30/23

PEDIATRIC:

PEDS ACUTE STROKE BRAIN WO (Rapid Swift) — updated 3/21/2019
PEDS STROKE BRAIN WO — updated 6/30/2023
PEDS INFANT HIE COOL BRAIN WO — updated 11/29/23
PEDS TRAUMA QUICK BRAIN WO— updated 2/4/22

PITUITARY:

PITUITARY WO — new 1/21/22
PITUITARY W/WO — updated 1/21/22
PITUITARY & BRAIN W/WO — new 1/21/22

QUICK SCREENING / ABBREVIATED PROTOCOLS:

QUICK BRAIN WO — updated 1/21/22
PEDS TRAUMA QUICK BRAIN WO— updated 2/4/22

SURGICAL & RADIATION PLANNING:

EVT WO (THIRD TENTRICULOSTOMY)
fMRI BRAIN - updated 8/23/2023
DTI BRAIN - updated 10/13/2023
STEREOTACTIC BRAIN WO, W/WO OR W/CONTRAST - updated 6/19/2023

PRE DBS - GPI - updated 6/13/2022
PRE DBS - STN - updated 6/13/2022
PRE DBS - VIM AND THALAMOTOMY - updated 6/13/2022
HIFU ESSENTIAL TREMOR WO OR W/WO - updated 6/6/23

RADIATION THERAPY BRAIN W/WO - updated 2/2/22
LIMITED RADIATION THERAPY BRAIN W ONLY - added 5/24/2024

VASCULAR IMAGING:

MRA BRAIN WO or WWO - updated 3/19/2021
MRA NECK WO or WWO - updated 3/5/2021
MRV BRAIN - updated 9/26/22
VASCULITIS / VESSEL WALL IMAGING (VWI) BRAIN WWO (Includes MRA WO) - updated 9/26/22
TEMPORAL ARTERITIS / GCA BRAIN W/WO - new 11/11/23

ADD-ON SEQUENCES:

CINE (for Brain or Spine) — updated 2/14/2013
DTI BRAIN - updated 10/13/2023
SPECTROSCOPY- Single — updated 3/21/2019
SPECTROSCOPY- Multi — updated 3/21/2019

Head and Neck (EENT)

PERIPHERAL NEUROGRAPHY:

BRACHIAL PLEXUS (BILATERAL) WO — updated 3/28/19
BRACHIAL PLEXUS (BILATERAL) W/WO — updated 3/28/19

ORBITS:

ORBITS WO — updated 3/18/22
ORBITS W/WO — updated 3/18/22
ORBITS WO + CINE — updated 3/28/19
ORBITS WO - LIMITED — updated 3/8/22
BRAIN & ORBITS WO — updated 3/18/22
BRAIN & ORBITS W/WO — updated 3/18/22

INTERNAL AUDITORY CANALS (IAC):

IAC WO — updated 7/26/22
IAC W/WO — updated 7/26/22
IAC PRE COCHLEAR IMPLANT WO — updated 1/21/22
IAC & BRAIN WWO — new 1/25/22

FACE, PARANASAL SINUSES, and SKULL BASE:

FACE, SINUS, OR SKULL BASE WO — updated 1/21/22
FACE, SINUS, OR SKULL BASE W/WO — updated 1/21/22
TMJ WO (always bilateral) — updated 3/28/19
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA WO — updated 1/21/22
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA W/WO — updated 1/21/22

NECK:

SOFT TISSUE NECK WO — updated 1/21/22
SOFT TISSUE NECK W/WO — updated 1/21/22
SOFT TISSUE NECK WO - SLEEP APNEA — updated 3/8/22

FACE & NECK WO — updated 7/27/22
FACE & NECK WWO — updated 7/27/22

VASCULAR:

MRA NECK WO or WWO — updated 3/5/2021
TEMPORAL ARTERITIS BRAIN W/WO — new 11/11/23
HORNERS SYNDROME WWO — new 2/26/24
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA WO — updated 1/21/22
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA W/WO — updated 1/21/22

Spine

CERVICAL SPINE:

ROUTINE CERVICAL SPINE WO — updated 9/26/22
ROUTINE CERVICAL SPINE W/WO — updated 9/26/22

PEDS CERVICAL SPINE WO — updated 3/18/22
PEDS CERVICAL SPINE WWO — updated 1/24/22
PEDS TRAUMA CERVICAL SPINE WO— updated 11/3/20

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS / CORD LESION - CERVICAL SPINE WWO — new 1/21/22
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS / CORD LESION - CERVICAL SPINE WO — new 1/21/22

TRAUMA CERVICAL SPINE WO — updated 10/16/2020
FLEX/EXT CERVICAL SPINE WO — updated 10/16/2020
HADWARE CERVICAL SPINE WO or WWO — new 10/02/22

THORACIC SPINE:

ROUTINE THORACIC SPINE WO — updated 1/24/22
ROUTINE THORACIC SPINE W/WO — updated 1/24/22

PEDS THORACIC SPINE WO — updated 1/24/22
PEDS THORACIC SPINE WWO — updated 1/24/22

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS / CORD LESION - THORACIC SPINE WO — new 1/21/22
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS / CORD LESION - THORACIC SPINE WWO — new 1/21/22

HADWARE THORACIC SPINE WO or WWO — new 10/02/22

LUMBAR SPINE:

ROUTINE LUMBAR SPINE WO — updated 7/27/22
ROUTINE LUMBAR SPINE WWO — updated 7/27/22

PEDS LUMBAR SPINE WO — updated 1/24/22
PEDS LUMBAR SPINE WWO — updated 1/24/22

HADWARE LUMBAR SPINE WO or WWO — new 10/02/22

TOTAL SPINE:

ROUTINE TOTAL SPINE WO — updated 9/26/22
ROUTINE TOTAL SPINE WWO — updated 9/26/22

ED CORD/CAUDA IMPINGEMENT SCREENING - TOTAL SPINE WO — new 1/21/22
ED INFECTION SCREENING - TOTAL SPINE W — updated 1/31/24

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS / CORD LESION - TOTAL SPINE WWO — new 1/21/22
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS / CORD LESION - TOTAL SPINE WO — new 1/21/22

SPINAL VASCULAR MALFORMATION - MRA/MRI TOTAL SPINE WWO — new 9/26/22

PEDS TOTAL SPINE WO - DOUBLE JUMP — updated 1/25/22
PEDS TOTAL SPINE WO - SINGLE JUMP — updated 1/25/22
PEDS TOTAL SPINE WWO - DOUBLE JUMP — updated 1/25/22
PEDS TOTAL SPINE WWO - SINGLE JUMP — updated 1/25/22
PEDS TOTAL SPINE W ONLY - DOUBLE JUMP — updated 1/31/24
PEDS TOTAL SPINE W ONLY - SINGLE JUMP — updated 1/25/22

HADWARE TOTAL SPINE WO or WWO — new 10/02/22

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.

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