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The GE Signa scanner provides the user with a wide selection of hardware components and software capabilities. This array of choices can result in highly optimized protocols that routinely provide superior quality images, but under less favorable conditions can also lead to inappropriately constructed protocols and poor image quality. In addition, each new software revision includes changes to pulse sequences, and newer, improved pulse sequences that make it difficult for many users who are not specialized in orthopedic imaging to keep their protocols current. |
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This Orthopedic Protocol Guide is intended to provide direction to GE Signa high-field users for optimizing their orthopedic protocols. A basic understanding of MRI physics has been assumed, however, a chapter describing the specific GE implementation of pulse sequences that are commonly used for orthopedic imaging has also been included. The guide has been written by dedicated orthopedic MR radiologists and is meant to share their extensive experience in optimizing protocols on the GE scanner. |
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Each chapter discusses in detail the author's protocol for imaging a specific joint, together with an explanation for their choices of pulse sequences and timing parameters. While most of these authors are working on scanners with LX operating software, the discussion of how these choices are made should be useful to everyone, regardless of the software platform they are running. All of these authors work primarily on 1.5 Tesla systems, however, the protocols presented here can be easily modified for scanning at 1.0 Tesla. The protocols in this Protocol Guide serve two purposes: They are reference tools for use in establishing your own specific protocols; and they provide a framework within which you may build a usable catalog of protocols. It is not the purpose of this guide to recommend specific protocols, nor should the protocols included here be considered prescriptive. These protocols serve simply to illustrate the fundamental elements of successful MR scanning for a variety of studies. Within each study, a number of series has been provided. It is not intended that you acquire all series for any of the exams, but rather you will select a limited number of series based on the type of contrast you want to achieve (T1, T2, T2*, tissue suppression, or vascular). The protocols that you build and develop will be based on the pathology to be demonstrated, on the patient's condition, and on the individual preferences of the referring physicians and radiologists. I am very grateful to all of the authors for their contributions and dedication to seeing this Guide in print. They have all been extremely gracious to me throughout the process of putting the Guide together, and I am indebted to them for taking so much of their time to share their knowledge and considerable expertise in this area. Cynthia Maier, PhD |
