MagniscreenMRI Protocols & Planning
Protocol Explorer

Spine protocol

Lumbar Spine MRI

Routine lumbar spine MRI protocol for low back pain, radiculopathy, trauma, infection/inflammation, post-operative evaluation, and selected contrast indications.

spinelumbarlow back painradiculopathycauda equinapost-operativetraumawithout 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

  • Posterior surgery
  • Metastatic disease
  • Cord compression

Dose notes

  • Follow department policy regarding contrast administration and dosing.
  • Refer to policy regarding dosage and GFR deficiencies.
Acquisition listSequencesRequired and conditional series for the exam.

Scanner-specific parameters: Siemens Aera E11

Routine

Routine lumbar spine MRI parameters from FAST LUMBAR.

Siemens protocol
FAST LUMBAR
Sequences
8
Review status
approved for display
SequencePlanePhaseRequiredNotesSequence Parameters
LocalizerAnynoncontrastYes-
Sagittal T2sagittalnoncontrastYes-
Sagittal T1sagittalnoncontrastYes-
Sagittal STIRsagittalnoncontrastYes-
Sagittal SPACE 3DsagittalnoncontrastYes--
Axial T2axialnoncontrastYes-
Axial T1axialnoncontrastYes-
Sagittal T1 +CsagittalpostcontrastConditionalAcquire when contrast is indicated.
Axial T1 +CaxialpostcontrastConditionalAcquire when contrast is indicated.
PositioningSlice PlanningPlane-specific planning instructions and guide images for technologists.

sagittal

Sagittal planning

  • Align slices parallel to the lumbar spine.
  • Plan from and through one pedicle through the contralateral pedicle, inclusive.
  • Cover at minimum all five lumbar discs and contiguous endplates.

Lumbar spine sagittal planning

sagittal

Source slide: 35. Focused crop from planning guide slide labeled LUMBAR SPINE CENTER AT L3 / Sagittal.

Lumbar spine coronal localizer

coronal

Source slide: 35. Focused crop showing sagittal prescription stack on coronal localizer.

axial

Axial planning

  • Align slices parallel with the disc spaces.
  • If the patient has exaggerated curvature, acquire each axial sequence twice: one for upper disc spaces and one for lower disc spaces.
  • When splitting upper and lower axial acquisitions, use fewer slices in each sequence and ensure overlapping coverage between upper and lower acquisitions.

Lumbar axial disc planning

axial

Source slide: 37. Embedded planning image from slide labeled LUMBAR SPINE / Axial showing disc-space prescription geometry.

Lumbar axial localizer

axial

Source slide: 37. Embedded planning image from slide labeled LUMBAR SPINE / Axial showing axial coverage on coronal localizer.

Anatomic extentCoverage RulesMinimum coverage expectations and alignment rules.

sagittal

Sagittal field of view

Cover T12 through S2 inclusive.

sagittal

Sagittal lateral coverage

Cover from one pedicle through the contralateral pedicle inclusive.

sagittal

Lumbar disc coverage

Cover all five lumbar discs and contiguous endplates at minimum.

axial

Axial disc coverage

Plan axial images parallel to disc spaces with overlap when split for severe curvature.

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

sagittal

slice thickness
<= 4.0 mm
slice thickness 3d
1.0 mm
gap
<= 1.0 mm

axial

slice thickness
<= 4.0 mm
gap
<= 1.0 mm
Conditional workflowSpecial SituationsAdjustments for contrast, hardware, and protocol-specific conditions.

Contrast indicated

  • Add sagittal T1 postcontrast sequence.
  • Add axial T1 postcontrast sequence.

Surgical hardware present

  • Use metal suppression technique such as WARP on Siemens scanners.
  • Increase bandwidth if needed.

Severe or exaggerated curvature

  • Perform upper and lower axial T1 and T2 sequences if needed.
  • Ensure overlap between upper and lower axial coverage.
Future detailAdvancedSource-backed scanner, vendor, and site-specific notes when available.

Scanner variant

Siemens metal suppression

Siemens
  • Use WARP metal suppression technique when surgical hardware is present.