MRI 230 - MR Procedures and Pathophysiology I

2. Recognition of the possible variability in protocols and positioning utilized for the brain, cranial nerves, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Protocols and imaging techniques for the joints will be explored. These will include the hips, shoulder, elbow, ankle, and knee.

3. Knowledge of the most common pathologies found during MRI and imaging techniques to demonstrate the pathology to be scanned.

4. Recognition of application of contrast agents and proper doses.

5. The ability to state clinical applications of MRI procedures due to specific pathologies.
Course Outline:
I. Describe MRI room and patient preparation for various examinations of the CNS and MSK.

A. Identify the types of magnets used in clinical practice.

B. State the coils available for MR and their specific application.

C. Identify the ancillary equipment needed to complete routine CNS and MSK exams.

D. List the steps taken to prepare the MRI room for a patient.

E. List the steps taken to clean the MRI room after a procedure.

II. Describe patient positioning for various CNS and MSK exams.

A. State the positioning criteria for the brain and spine.

B. Discuss the positioning criteria for patients with abnormal curvatures of the spine.

C. Discuss the positioning criteria for anatomy that is not easily centered (i.e. wrist, hand).

D. Evaluate images for proper positioning to ensure necessary anatomy is visualized.

E. Describe the differences between adult and pediatric positioning for CNS and MSK exams.

F. Discuss the positioning options for claustrophobic patients.

III. Identify when intravenous contrast is indicated for CNS and MSK exams.

A. Explain the use of contrast media in evaluating pathology of the CNS and MSK.

B. Describe the effects of contrast agents on visualizing pathology.

C. List the types of pathology that may require contrast.

D. Differentiate between positive and negative contrast agents.

E. Identify the types of exams that would require the use of a positive contrast agent.

F. Discuss blood pool agents and compare it to gadolinium.

IV. Describe the normal MR characteristics of various tissue structures within the CNS and MSK.

A. Describe the imaging parameters that determine image contrast.

B. Discuss and identify the appropriate pulse sequences for CNS and MSK exams.

C. Differentiate between normal tissue characteristics of the CNS and MSK and abnormal tissue characteristics.

D. Identify the differences in anatomical appearance between T1 and T2 weighted sequences of normal anatomy.

E. Differentiate between tissue signal characteristics of anatomical structures with and without contrast.

F. Describe the differences in tissue signal characteristics between adult and pediatric CNS exams.

V. Describe sequences used to optimize the visualization of pathologies.

A. State the pathologies that commonly require an MRI study.

B. Discuss the signal characteristics displayed by abnormal tissue during various pulse sequences.

C. Identify the common indication and common pathologies of the central nervous system, soft structures of the head and neck, and the musculoskeletal system and determine the sequences necessary for proper diagnosis.

D. Describe and discuss the imaging planes and sequencing parameters that maximize the diagnostic value of the central nervous system (i.e. brain, spine).

E. Describe and discuss the imaging planes and sequencing parameters that maximize the diagnostic value of the musculoskeletal system (i.e. upper extremity, lower extremity, and shoulder girdle).

F. Identify the sequence changes that a technologist may make when imaging a pediatric patient.

G. Identify how the field strength affects the ability to visualize pathology.