Magnetic resonance imaging protocols for cervical disc disease: what is your neighbor up to?
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the prevalence of particular protocols used for routine magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine.


METHODS
Centers nationwide were asked to submit routine protocols for degenerative disease. Cases with a history of demyelinating disease or suspected cord lesions were excluded. The pulse sequences and scanning planes were tabulated for 105 centers. For the last 53 centers studied, axial gradient recalled echo sequences were subdivided into 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional Fourier transform.


RESULTS
There were 21 different combinations. A protocol consisting of sagittal T1+sagittal T2+axial gradient recalled echo T2 was used by 48% of centers. Two sagittal and 2 axial series in any combination was used in 30% (32/105 centers). One center used gradient recalled echo images exclusively, consisting of T1, proton density, and T2-weighted images, which included axial and sagittal planes.


CONCLUSIONS
Sagittal T1+sagittal T2+axial gradient recalled echo T2 is by far the most prevalent protocol used for imaging the cervical spine.
Wolansky
Leo J
LJ
New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark 07101-1709, USA. wolanslj@umdnj.edu
Parikh
Dipti D
DD
Shah
Kartik J
KJ
Yalamanchili
Raj
R
Farkas
Jeffery
J
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis