Diagnostic Radiology

Diagnostic Radiology

MRI Protocols

The accordion function does not work with Explorer. Please work within another browser such as Echo, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Beaverton MRI with patient's choice of ambient lighting

This page is for OHSU's MRI technologists and physicians. It outlines all sequences and protocols currently applied in our MRI section.  Our radiologists work closely with OHSU MRI technologists in the art of creating optimal images using current technology. Protocols listed have been reviewed and approved by a radiologist.

Need MRI imaging for research?

View our list of machines available for research or submit a form to help answer study setup questions.

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

ELASTOGRAPHY WO - added 5/18/2021

ENTEROGRAPHY W/WO - updated 3/25/2021

FEMALE PELVIS BRACHYTHERAPY PLANNING WWO - updated 3/20/2021
FEMALE PELVIS CERVICAL CANCER STAGING W/WO
FEMALE PELVIS FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS W/WO - updated 3/25/2021
FEMALE PELVIS UTERINE CANCER STAGING W/WO
FEMALE PELVIS / SOFT TISSUE PELVIS W/WO - updated 9/8/20
FEMALE PELVIS UAE W/WO

LIVER MASS W/WO
LIVER MASS WO & MRCP
LIVER MASS W/WO & MRCP with EOVIST
LIVER MASS W/WO & MRCP
LIVER MASS W/WO EOVIST
LIVER MASS WO IRON (Fe) QUANTIFICATION
LIVER MASS W/WO IRON (Fe) QUANTIFICATION
PANCREAS W/WO MRCP
PANCREAS W/WO SECRETIN
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 MASS W/WO
RENAL ARTERIAL SCLEROSIS W/WO
SCROTUM W/WO
UROGRAM W/WO

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

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.

CINE (FOR BRAIN,CSP OR LSP)
DEMENTIA BRAIN - updated 1/27/2021
DTI BRAIN
EPILEPSY/SEIZURE BRAIN WO updated 6/8/2020
EPILEPSY/SEIZURE BRAIN W/WO updated 6/8/2020
EVT WO (THIRD TENTRICULOSTOMY)
fMRI BRAIN -Updated 1/7/2020
FRAMED STEREO BRAIN WO
FRAMELESS BRAIN WO, W/WO OR W/CONTRAST - updated 1/27/2021
MRA BRAIN WO or WWO - updated 3/19/2021
MRA NECK WO or WWO - updated 3/5/2021
MRV BRAIN
MS BRAIN WWO - updated 6/8/2020
PITUITARY W/WO + DYNAMICS
PITUITARY W/WO + RADIATION THERAPY PLANNING
PRE DBS - GPI - updated 7/1/2021
PRE DBS - STN - updated 7/1/2021
PRE DBS - VIM AND THALAMOTOMY - updated 7/1/2021
RADIATION THERAPY AVM BRAIN W/WO + MRA
RADIATION THERAPY BRAIN W/WO - updated 1/27/2021
ROUTINE BRAIN WO - updated 1/27/2021
ROUTINE BRAIN W/WO - updated 1/27/2021
TRAUMA BRAIN WO
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA WO (BURCHIEL) - updated 12/2/19
TUMOR BRAIN W/WO - updated 1/27/2021
TUMOR BRAIN W/WO + SPECTROSCOPY - updated 1/27/2021
SPECTROSCOPY- Single
SPECTROSCOPY- Multi
STROKE BRAIN WO
VASCULITIS BRAIN W/WO & MRA WO
VENOUS THROMBOSIS + MRV W/WO
QUICK BRAIN WO

ENT

Spine

CERVICAL SPINE WO - updated 10/16/2020
CERVICAL SPINE WO TRAUMA - updated 10/16/2020
CERVICAL SPINE WO FLEX/EXT - updated 10/16/2020
CERVICAL SPINE W/WO - updated 10/16/2020
LUMBAR SPINE WO - updated 10/16/2020
LUMBAR SPINE W/WO - updated 10/16/2020
LUMBAR SPINE LIMITED WO - updated 10/16/2020
LUMBAR/SACRAL PLEXUS - updated 10/16/2020
THORACIC SPINE WO - updated 10/16/2020
THORACIC SPINE W/WO - updated 10/16/2020
TOTAL SPINE WO - updated 10/16/2020
TOTAL SPINE W/WO - updated 10/16/2020
TOTAL SPINE LIMITED SURVEY WO - updated 10/16/2020
TOTAL SPINE CHIARI/TETHERED CORD WO - updated 10/16/2020

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

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

Above 9 years old use adult protocols, except for the Rapid Swift for under 16 yrs old.

ROUTINE BRAIN WO - updated 1/27/2021
ROUTINE BRAIN W/WO - updated 1/27/2021
BRAIN TUMOR W/WO - updated 1/27/2021
CINE WO
EPILEPSY/SEIZURE BRAIN WO
EPILEPSY/SEIZURE BRAIN W/WO
EVT - THIRD TENTRICULOSTOMY WO
FRAMELESS ONLY WO, WWO OR W/ CONTRAST - updated 1/27/2021
INFANT HIE COOL BRAIN WO
MRA BRAIN WO OR WWO - updated 3/19/2021
MRA NECK WO or WWO - updated 3/5/2021
MRV (see also: Venous Thrombosis MRV WWO)
PITUITARY W/WO
PITUITARY W/WO RADIATION THERAPY PLANNING
STROKE - ACUTE
STROKE BRAIN WO
TRAUMA BRAIN WO
TRAUMA QUICK BRAIN - updated 5/29/2020
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA WO (BURCHIEL)
SPECTROSCOPY- SINGLE
SPECTROSCOPY- MULTI
QUICK BRAIN WO

ENT

Spine

CERVICAL SPINE WO - updated 11/3/2020
CERVICAL SPINE WO Chiari - updated 11/3/2020
CERVICAL SPINE WO Chiari with Cine - updated 11/3/2020
CERVICAL SPINE  WO TRAUMA - updated 11/3/2020
CERVICAL SPINE W/WO - updated 11/3/2020

THORACIC SPINE WO - updated 11/3/2020
THORACIC SPINE W/WO - updated 11/3/2020

LUMBAR SPINE WO - updated 7/14/2020
LUMBAR SPINE W/WO - updated 11/3/2020
LUMBAR SPINE TETHERED CORD WO OR W/WO - updated 11/3/2020

TOTAL SPINE WO - updated 7/14/2020
TOTAL SPINE W/WO  - updated 11/3/2020
TOTAL SPINE WO, W or W/WO - SINGLE or DOUBLE JUMP - updated 3/19/2021
TOTAL SPINE CHIARI OR SYRINX/TETHERED CORD WO - updated 9/25/19
TOTAL SPINE LIMITED/NEUROAXIS W - updated 11/3/2020

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. Petra Vajtai 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.

Pediatric Sedation charge nurse: 81904
Pediatric Radiology pager: 15816

Sedated Children and Checking Images

  • As of 5/13/2021: Sedated children only: Pediatric Radiologist must check images before giving contrast and prior to letting the patient off the table. 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. 

MSK- Upper Extremities

  • For all upper extremities from finger to shoulder, use adult MSK protocols with FOV/Slice/Gap adjustments for patient size.
  • Please run AX T1 FS PRE GAD for all MSK WWO exams.

MSK- Lower Extremities

  • For all 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.

HIPS BILATERAL POST-REDUCTION WO - updated 1/21/21
HIPS PERTHES WWO 
PELVIS W/WO (Routine)
PELVIS WO (Post Anorectoplasty or Ileoanal Pull-Through)
PELVIS W/WO (Female)
PELVIS WO (Female)
PHYSEAL BAR WO
SI JOINTS WO OR W/WO

Chest

Body

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