MagniscreenMRI Protocols & Planning
Protocol Explorer

Neuro protocol

Brain and IAC MRI

Brain and internal auditory canal MRI for sensorineural hearing loss, trigeminal neuralgia, tinnitus, dizziness, and vertigo. Includes full brain workup plus dedicated high-resolution 3D T2 and 3D T1 sequences through the IACs with postcontrast reformats when indicated.

neurobrainIACinternal auditory canalcranial nervessensorineural hearing losstrigeminal neuralgiatinnitusdizzinessvertigoacoustic neuromawithout contrastconditional contrast

For protocol planning and internal reference only. Follow institutional MRI safety screening, contrast, dosage, and GFR policies.

Decision supportContrast GuidanceDefault contrast approach and conditional indications.

Contrast indications

  • Acoustic neuroma

Dose notes

  • Follow department policy regarding contrast administration and dosing.
Acquisition listSequencesRequired and conditional series for the exam.
SequencePlanePhaseRequiredNotes
Localizer Sagittal/Coronal/AxialAnynoncontrastYesCenter at the glabella.
Sagittal STIRsagittalnoncontrastYes-
Axial T2axialnoncontrastYes-
Axial FLAIRaxialnoncontrastYes-
Axial DiffusionaxialnoncontrastYes-
Coronal DiffusioncoronalnoncontrastYes-
Axial 3D T2axialnoncontrastYesHigh-resolution thin sequence for IAC evaluation. Slice thickness <= 2.0 mm, zero gap. Must cover from the body of the corpus callosum to the cervico-medullary junction.
Axial 3D T1axialnoncontrastYesServes as precontrast baseline when contrast is ordered.
Axial 3D T1 +CaxialpostcontrastConditionalAcquire when contrast is indicated. Reformat axial thin images covering above top of IACs to cervico-medullary junction, and coronal thin images covering pituitary to fourth ventricle.
PositioningSlice PlanningPlane-specific planning instructions and guide images for technologists.

Brain-plus protocols may include routine whole-brain planning plus dedicated targeted planning for the indicated anatomy. Use the protocol-specific planning steps and source-backed images below when available.

Routine whole-brain planning

  • Cover the entire brain from left to right.
  • Cover from the top of the brain through the C2 level.
  • Cover from temporal bone to temporal bone.
  • Align parallel with the longitudinal fissure.
  • Ensure the midline slice passes through the aqueduct.
  • Standard axial sequences: cover the entire brain from the top of the skull through the foramen magnum.
  • Align using the inferior aspect of the horns of the corpus callosum.
  • Brain & IAC axial planning: on sagittal images, align perpendicular to the midbrain and cover the entire brain posterior to anterior.
  • Brain & IAC axial planning: on axial images, ensure the field of view covers the entire brain left to right and posterior to anterior.
  • Brain & IAC coronal planning: on sagittal images, align parallel to the midbrain.
  • Brain & IAC coronal planning: on coronal images, ensure the field of view covers the entire brain left to right and superior to inferior.

axial

Dedicated IAC axial planning

  • Align parallel with the IACs.
  • Cover from the sella through the fourth ventricle.
  • Use this prescription for dedicated IAC imaging and reformats.
  • Brain & IAC coronal planning axial reference: align parallel with the IACs and cover from the sella to the fourth ventricle.

IAC axial planning

axial

Source slide: 5. Cropped planning image from BRAIN & IAC'S / Axial.

coronal

Dedicated IAC coronal planning

  • Align parallel with the IACs.
  • Cover from above the IACs through the foramen magnum.
  • Use this prescription for dedicated IAC imaging and reformats.
  • Brain & IAC axial planning coronal reference: align parallel with the IACs and cover from above the IACs to the foramen magnum.

IAC coronal planning

coronal

Source slide: 6. Cropped planning image from BRAIN & IAC'S / Coronal.

Postcontrast thin reformat planning

  • Axial thin reformats (postcontrast): use the dedicated IAC axial prescription; align parallel with the IACs and cover from the sella through the fourth ventricle.
  • Coronal thin reformats: use the dedicated IAC coronal prescription; align parallel with the IACs and cover from above the IACs through the foramen magnum.
Anatomic extentCoverage RulesMinimum coverage expectations and alignment rules.

sagittal

Sagittal field of view

Cover the entire brain from left to right and from the top of the brain through C2. Cover temporal bone to temporal bone.

axial

Axial standard field of view

Cover the entire brain from the top of the skull through the foramen magnum.

axial

Axial 3D T2 coverage

Cover from the body of the corpus callosum to the cervico-medullary junction.

axial

Postcontrast axial thin reformat coverage

Cover from above the top of the IACs to the cervico-medullary junction.

coronal

Postcontrast coronal thin reformat coverage

Cover from the pituitary to the fourth ventricle.

TechniqueSuggested Technique SpecificationsPlane-level vendor-neutral guidance from the source protocol.

sagittal

slice thickness
<= 5.0 mm
gap
<= 2.0 mm

axial

slice thickness
<= 5.0 mm
gap
<= 2.0 mm
slice thickness 3d thin
<= 2.0 mm
gap 3d thin
0 mm (zero gap)
Conditional workflowSpecial SituationsAdjustments for contrast, hardware, and protocol-specific conditions.

Contrast indicated

  • Add axial 3D T1 postcontrast sequence.
  • Reformat postcontrast axial thin images: cover from above the top of the IACs to the cervico-medullary junction.
  • Reformat postcontrast coronal thin images: cover from the pituitary to the fourth ventricle.
Future detailAdvancedSource-backed scanner, vendor, and site-specific notes when available.

Advanced technical details, scanner variants, and planning guide assets can appear here as protocol data expands.