Category Archives: Protocols

Ultrasound Guided Biopsy Protocol
28
Feb

Overview

Real time ultrasound guidance improves accuracy and safety for soft tissue breast thyroid and abdominal biopsies.

Preprocedure Planning

Review imaging, coagulation status and plan needle trajectory to avoid vessels and critical structures.

Technique and Safety

Use sterile technique local anesthesia coaxial or core needle systems and post procedure compression and monitoring for complications.

Specimen Handling and Documentation

Label specimens clearly, document needle path images and provide clinical history to pathology for optimal diagnostic yield.

Breast MRI Protocol
24
Feb

Overview

Breast MRI relies on high spatial and temporal resolution dynamic contrast enhanced imaging with supplemental sequences for lesion characterization.

Core Sequences

Include T1 weighted pre and multiple post contrast dynamic phases T2 weighted and diffusion weighted imaging.

Technical Considerations

Use dedicated breast coils bilateral coverage and timed contrast injection with rapid sequence acquisition for kinetic analysis.

Reporting and Indications

Follow standardized reporting lexicon and reserve MRI for high risk screening problem solving and preoperative staging.

Barium Swallow Protocol
23
Feb

Overview

Barium swallow evaluates oropharyngeal transfer esophageal motility and structural lesions with dynamic imaging during swallowing.

Study Components

Include thin and thick bolus swallows lateral and anterior posterior views and timed sequences to assess aspiration and clearance.

Clinical Use

Used for dysphagia evaluation postoperative assessment and planning for speech therapy or surgical intervention.

Radiation and Patient Safety

Use pulsed fluoroscopy minimize exposure and tailor study length to clinical question while ensuring diagnostic completeness.

Thyroid Nuclear Medicine Scan Protocol
13
Feb

Overview

Thyroid scintigraphy uses iodine or technetium tracers to assess uptake patterns and functional status of nodules and gland.

Preparation and Tracer Selection

Consider recent iodine exposure and medication effects; choose tracer and timing based on diagnostic question.

Acquisition and Quantification

Planar and SPECT imaging with uptake quantification and correlation with ultrasound for nodule characterization.

Clinical Use Cases

Useful for hyperthyroidism evaluation toxic nodules and preoperative functional mapping.

Transesophageal Echocardiography Protocol
9
Feb

Overview

TEE offers superior visualization of posterior cardiac structures valves and the thoracic aorta using multiplane probe manipulation.

Indications and Preparation

Indicated for endocarditis evaluation intraoperative monitoring and thrombus detection. Fasting and sedation protocols are required.

Core Views and Measurements

Acquire mid esophageal four chamber two chamber long axis transgastric short axis and aortic arch views with Doppler assessment.

Safety and Documentation

Monitor sedation and airway status, document probe depth and image quality, and record findings relevant to procedural guidance.

Pelvis MRI Protocol
8
Feb

Overview

Pelvic MRI uses high resolution T2 sequences in multiple planes with diffusion and contrast enhanced imaging for staging and local assessment.

Prostate Specific

Include T2 axial and sagittal diffusion and dynamic contrast sequences following PI RADS recommendations for lesion detection and targeted biopsy planning.

Gynecologic and Rectal

Use thin slice T2 and diffusion for tumor staging and add contrast for vascular assessment and treatment planning.

Positioning and Coils

Use pelvic phased array coils and consider endorectal coils for prostate when higher resolution is required and tolerated.