How do you scan your elbows?

MRI_Guy · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

What sequences do you run? What position do you put the patient in? What coil do you use? How long does the procedure take?

At my facility, we use an extremity quad coil most of the time and scan head first with the arm over the head. Very difficult for patients to do. And it takes about 25 minutes. Even harder for the patients to do. We run T2 Fat Sat and T1 sequences in every plane.

Any suggestions as to what can make this faster and easier for the patients? I feel like we're running sequences that really are unneeded.
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MRI_Guy

usertech · Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Posts: 6

That is a broad question. The elbow is very tricky. positions is your key and finding the coil that will best accomodate this body part. I usually place a sandbag on the distal end of the arm as well. I use a knee coil with pads on the bottom to bring the elbow to the center of the coil, then pad in between so as to assure a snug fit. Is your unit open? closed?
I use an open unit and scoot the patient to the far side of the table bringing the elbow and coil as close to the center of the magnet as possible. Externally rotate the arm so that the elbow is in the correct anatomical position. This will open the joint spaces. Then when I get the patient to isocenter, I scoot them over as much as needed to come to complete isocenter.
I run the T2 axial first then my coronals and sag. But it would depend on your hospital, clinics protocols. The procedure takes about thirty minutes but that is for a .3T A lot has to do with the strength of the magnet. If it is a 1.5T or 3T then your scan time would obviously be a lot less. Good luck, Gretchen