An optimized 1.5 Tesla MRI protocol of the brachial plexus

Abstract

Purpose Creating an effective MRI protocol for examining the brachial plexus poses significant challenges, and despite the abundance of protocols in the literature, there is a lack of reference standards for basic sequences and essential parameters needed for replication. The aim of this study is to establish a reproducible 1.5 T brachial plexus imaging protocol, including patient positioning, coil selection, imaging planes, and essential sequence parameters. Methods We systematically investigated MRI sequences, testing each parameter through in vivo experiments, examining their effects on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), visual quality scores, and acquisition time. Sequences were refined based on optimal quality and timing scores. The final protocol was tested on scanners from two other vendors for reliability. Results The final protocol included a combination of 2D turbo-spin-echo and 3D SPACE T1, SPACE STIR, and VIBE DIXON sequences. Recommendations for imaging planes, phase encoding, field of view, TR, TE, resolution, number of slices, slice thickness, fat and blood suppression, and acceleration strategies are provided. The protocol was successfully translated to other vendor's scanners with comparable quality. Conclusion We present an optimized protocol detailing the essential parameters for reproducibility. Our comprehensive list of experiments describes the impact of each parameter on image quality and scan time, addressing common artifacts and potential solutions. This protocol can benefit both young radiologists new to the field and experienced professionals seeking to refine their existing protocols.