mrimaster

Thymus (Mediastinum) MRI

Indications for chest MRI scan

Contraindications

Patient preparation for Thymus MRI scan

Positioning for Thymus MRI scan

Thymus (mediastinum) mri positioning photo

Recommended Thymus MRI scan Protocols and Planning

localiser

To localize and plan the sequences, it is essential to acquire a three-plane T2 HASTE localizer initially. These fast single-shot localizers have an acquisition time of under 25 seconds and are highly effective in accurately localizing chest and abdominal structures.

thymus mri localiser

T2 tse\HASTE Multiple breath-hold axial 6mm

Plan the axial slices on the coronal image and position the block horizontally across the chest as shown. Verify the positioning in the other two planes. Establish an appropriate angle in the sagittal plane by aligning it vertically across the chest. The slices must cover the entire chest from the mid-neck down to the aortic valve. Instruct the patient to hold their breath during image acquisition. The parallel acquisition technique (IPAT/SENSE) can be used to reduce the scan time. Additionally, adding saturation bands on the top and bottom of the axial block will help reduce arterial pulsation and breathing artifacts.

thymus MRI protocol and planning of axial large FOV scan

Parameters

TR

5000-7000

TE

90

FLIP

150

NXA

1

SLICE

6 MM

MATRIX

256×256

FOV

350

PHASE

A>P

OVERSAMPLE

50%

IPAT

ON

T1 DIXON 3D breath hold coronal 3mm SFOV

Plan the coronal slices on the axial scan and position the block horizontally across the chest as shown. Verify the positioning in the other two planes. Establish an appropriate angle in the sagittal plane by aligning it vertically across the chest. Ensure that the slices adequately cover the entire mediastinum from the anterior chest wall to the vertebral body. To prevent wrap-around artifacts, phase oversampling and slice oversampling must be used. Instruct the patient to hold their breath during image acquisition. In our department, we instruct patients to take two deep breaths before giving the ‘breathe in and hold’ instruction.

Parameters

TR

6-7

TE

2.39   4.77

FLIP

10

NXA

1

SLICE

3 MM

MATRIX

224×224

FOV

200

PHASE

R>L

OVERSAMPLE

50%

BH

YES

T2 tse\HASTE Multiple breath-hold coronal 3mm SFOV

Plan the coronal slices on the axial scan and position the block horizontally across the chest as shown. Verify the positioning in the other two planes. Establish an appropriate angle in the sagittal plane by aligning it vertically across the chest. Ensure that the slices adequately cover the entire mediastinum, from the anterior chest wall to the vertebral body. To prevent wrap-around artifacts, phase oversampling must be used. Instruct the patient to hold their breath during image acquisition. In our department, we instruct patients to breathe in and out twice before giving the ‘breathe in and hold’ instruction.

Parameters

TR

4000-5000

TE

90

FLIP

150

NXA

1

SLICE

3 MM

MATRIX

224×224

FOV

220

PHASE

R>L

OVERSAMPLE

50%

BH

YES

T1 DIXON 3D axial breath hold 3mm SFOV

Plan the axial slices on the coronal image and position the block horizontally across the chest as shown. Verify the positioning in the other two planes. Establish an appropriate angle in the sagittal plane by aligning it horizontally across the chest. Ensure that the slices adequately cover the entire mediastinum from the mid-neck to the aortic valve. To prevent wrap-around artifacts, phase oversampling and slice oversampling must be used. Instruct the patient to hold their breath during image acquisition. In our department, we instruct patients to breathe in and out twice before giving the ‘breathe in and hold’ instruction.

mediastinum MRI protocol and planning of axial small FOV scan

Parameters

TR

7-8

TE

2.39   4.77

FLIP

10

NXA

1

SLICE

3 MM

MATRIX

224×224

FOV

200

PHASE

R>L

OVERSAMPLE

50%

BH

YES

T2 tse \HASTE Multiple breath-hold axial 3mm SFOV

Plan the axial slices on the coronal image and position the block horizontally across the chest as shown. Verify the positioning in the other two planes. Establish an appropriate angle in the sagittal plane by aligning it horizontally across the chest. Ensure that the slices adequately cover the entire mediastinum from the mid-neck to the aortic valve. To prevent wrap-around artifacts, phase oversampling must be used. Instruct the patient to hold their breath during image acquisition. In our department, we instruct patients to breathe in and out twice before giving the ‘breathe in and hold’ instruction.

thymus MRI protocol and planning of axial small FOV scan

Parameters

TR

4000-5000

TE

90

FLIP

150

NXA

1

SLICE

3 MM

MATRIX

224×224

FOV

220

PHASE

A>P

OVERSAMPLE

30%

BH

YES

T2 tse fat sat\HASTE fat sat Multiple breath-hold axial 3mm SFOV

Plan the axial slices on the coronal image and position the block horizontally across the chest as shown. Verify the positioning in the other two planes. Establish an appropriate angle in the sagittal plane by aligning it horizontally across the chest. Ensure that the slices adequately cover the entire mediastinum from the mid-neck to the aortic valve. To prevent wrap-around artifacts, phase oversampling must be used. Instruct the patient to hold their breath during image acquisition. In our department, we instruct patients to breathe in and out twice before giving the ‘breathe in and hold’ instruction.

thymus MRI protocol and planning of axial small FOV scan

Parameters

TR

6000-8000

TE

90

fatsat

ON

NXA

1

SLICE

3 MM

MATRIX

208×208

FOV

220

PHASE

A>P

OVERSAMPLE

30%

IPAT

ON

DWI epi 3 scan trace axial 3mm free breathing

Plan the axial slices on the coronal image and position the block horizontally across the chest as shown. Verify the positioning in the other two planes. Establish an appropriate angle in the sagittal plane by aligning it horizontally across the chest. Ensure that the slices adequately cover the entire mediastinum from the mid-neck to the aortic valve. To prevent wrap-around artifacts, phase oversampling must be used. Consider adding saturation bands at the top and bottom of the block to minimize artifacts caused by fat signal, arterial pulsation, and breathing

Thymus MRI protocol and planning of axial small FOV scans

Parameters

TR

6000-7000

TE

90

IPAT

ON

NEX

 3     5     8

SLICE

3 MM

MATRIX

192X192

FOV

200-250

PHASE

R>L

GAP

10%

B VALUE

0
500
1000

T2 tse \HASTE Multiple breath-hold sagittal 3mm SFOV

Plan the sagittal slices on the coronal image, positioning the block vertically across the chest as shown. Verify the positioning in the other two planes. Establish an appropriate angle in the axial plane by aligning it horizontally across the chest. The slices must cover the entire mediastinum from right to left. Instruct the patient to hold their breath during image acquisition. The parallel acquisition technique (IPAT/SENSE) can be used to reduce the scan time. Adding saturation bands will help reduce arterial pulsation and breathing artifacts.

Parameters

TR

6000-7000

TE

90

fatsat

ON

NXA

1

SLICE

6 MM

MATRIX

256×256

FOV

350

PHASE

A>P

OVERSAMPLE

50%

IPAT

ON

For the post-contrast scans, use T1 vibe DIXON axial, coronal and sagittal sequences after the administration of IV gadolinium DTPA injection (copy the planning outlined above). The document below provides access to the recommended dosage of gadolinium DTPA injection, as advised by the manufacturer.