Cervical Spine MRI Protocol

Cervical Spine MRI sequences

Sagittal T1 SE
Sagittal T2 FSE 
3D Volumetric Axial T2* GRE
Axial T1 SE
Optional
Axial T2 FSE(Target axials to abnormality)
STIR-Sagital/Coronal


Trauma Cervical spine MRI Protocol
Sagittal T1 SE
Sagittal FSE-IR(Turbo-IR)
Axial T2 FSE with fat sat 
2D FLASH Axial/ Sagital 


Post-Op Cervical spine MRI  Protocol
Sagittal T1 SE
Sagittal T2 FSE
Axial 3D Volumetric T2* GRE
Stacked Axial T2 FSE  
Optional:
STIR-Sagital/Coronal


Technical notes:

• Substitute Axial T1 for T2* GRE if hardware is present  
• No IV contrast required.
• We must see the dorsal and ventral rami of the nerve roots coursing from the spinal cord to join as they exit the neuroforamen. Obtaining such detailed images typically requires 2 mm slice thicknesses for the axial images
• IV contrast only required for tumor/demyelinating diseases-MS