Table 1 MRI protocol for acute neck infections
From: MRI of acute neck infections: evidence summary and pictorial review
Sequence | Gd contrast | Orientation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
T2 Dixon | No | Axial, coronal | Normal anatomy (in-phase), tissue edema (water image) |
T1 SE | No | Axial | Normal anatomy, especially fat pads |
DWI | No | Axial | Detection of hypercellularity in solid tissue (normal lymph nodes, tumors), and purulence (abscess formation) in fluid collections |
T1 Dixon | Yes | Axial, coronal, sagittal | Demonstration of abnormal tissue enhancement (cellulitis, phlegmon), and indirect demonstration of non-enhancement in fluid collections and necrosis |