MCCCD Program Description

Magnetic Resonance Procedure Protocols

Course: ICE269

First Term: 2010 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Imaging techniques related to the central nervous system (CNS), neck, thorax, musculoskeletal system and abdominopelvic regions. Specific clinical application, available coils and use. Considerations in scan sequences, specific choices in protocols including slice thickness, phase direction, flow compensation, and positioning criteria. Anatomical structures and plane that best demonstrates anatomy. Signal characteristics of normal and abnormal structures

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify the advantage or disadvantages of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over traditional methods of diagnosing pathology. (I) 2. Choose the coils available for MRI and their specific application. (I) 3. Describe common artifacts that occur during imaging. (I) 4. Describe criteria for imaging windows for different areas of the body (i.e. when wide vs. narrow windows are useful). (I) 5. State tissue signal characteristics of anatomical structures with and without contrast. (I, III) 6. Explain the use of contrast media in evaluation of pathology. (I, III) 7. Describe considerations in designing an imaging protocol and state the application of protocols in specific situations. (I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) 8. Describe advantages and disadvantages of axial, sagittal, coronal and oblique images (i.e. what structures are best demonstrated). (II) 9. Explain positioning criteria for different areas of the body. (II, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII) 10. Describe common pulse sequences used in evaluation of the different areas of the body. (III) 11. Identify differences between adult and pediatric pulse sequences in MRI. (VIII) 12. Explain differences in tissue signal characteristics between adult and pediatric examinations. (VIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Imaging considerations A. coil types B. pulse sequences C. parameters (phase/frequency direction) D. flow and motion effects E. motion reduction techniques F. contrast agents G. artifacts H. windowing II. Imaging planes A. positioning criteria B. sagittal, coronal, axial C. anatomy best demonstrated D. slice thickness III. Signal characteristics A. proton density vs.T1-weighted vs.T2-weighted of normal anatomy B. spin-echo vs.gradient-echo C. without and with contrast agents IV. Central Nervous System A. Clinical indications 1. vascular disease 2. trauma 3. neoplasia 4. inflammation 5. anomalies B. Anatomic Locations 1. Brain 2. Spine and spinal cord V. MRI of Musculoskeletal System A. Clinical indications 1. degenerative disease 2. infection / inflammation 3. vascular 4. trauma 5. neoplasia B. Anatomic Locations 1. Hip 2. Knee 3. Ankle and foot 4. Shoulder 5. Elbow 6. Wrist and hand VI. MRI of the Abdomen and Pelvis A. Clinical indications 1. infection/inflammation 2. vascular 3. trauma 4. neoplasia B. Anatomic Locations 1. Abdomen 2. Retroperitoneum 3. Pelvis, male and female VII. MRI of the Thorax A. Clinical indications 1. infection/inflammation 2. vascular 3. trauma 4. neoplasia 5. anomalies B. Anatomic Locations 1. mediastinum 2. chest 3. brachial plexus 4. neck 5. breast VIII. Pediatric MRI A. Clinical Indications 1. tumor/infections 2. developmental anomalies, congenital malformations 3. myelination patterns B. Sedation 1. age related 2. general anesthesia

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 10/27/2009

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.