MRI Anatomy and Positioning Flashcards

Which breast MRI positioning protocol is standard for screening and diagnostic evaluation?

Answer: Prone with the breasts in a dedicated bilateral breast coil

Prone positioning with bilateral dedicated breast coils provides optimal tissue separation, bilateral coverage, and reproducible enhancement kinetics.

For imaging the brachial plexus, which specialized MRI sequence is most useful for nerve visualization?

Answer: STIR or fat-suppressed T2 coronal

Fat-suppressed T2 or STIR coronal images suppress the surrounding fat signal and highlight the high-water-content neural tissue of the brachial plexus.

On an axial MRI of the abdomen at the level of L1, which structure is seen as a round low-signal structure anterior to the aorta?

Answer: Superior mesenteric artery

The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) arises from the anterior aorta at approximately L1 and appears as a round flow-void structure surrounded by fat on axial images.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of placing the frequency-encoding gradient in the anterior-posterior direction for spine MRI?

Answer: To reduce phase wrap (aliasing) from anterior abdominal structures

Placing frequency encoding AP moves phase wrap artifact (aliasing) to the AP direction, preventing anterior abdominal fat from wrapping onto the spine.

For temporomandibular joint (TMJ) MRI, images are obtained with the jaw in which two positions?

Answer: Open and closed mouth

TMJ MRI is performed with the mouth both open and closed to evaluate articular disc position and movement through the full range of condylar motion.

The 'ABER' position used in shoulder MRI arthrography stands for:

Answer: Abduction and External Rotation

ABER (Abduction and External Rotation) positions the arm to tension the inferior glenohumeral ligament and improve detection of partial-thickness undersurface rotator cuff tears.