Set up

1. Put the anatomy of interest in the middle of the coil, not just inside it.
2. Mark the landmark with the laser lightlight visorlaser-light localizer and send it to the middle of the bore. The positioning laser carries a laser hazard marking, so ask the patient not to look into the beam, and follow your scanner’s instructions.
3. Run the localisersurveylocalizer and look at it before you plan anything.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Anatomy near the edge of the coil, or signal falling away at one end: bring the patient out, move the coil or the patient, and repeat the localisersurveylocalizer.
• The localisersurveylocalizer is too high or too low to see your landmarks: re-centre and repeat it rather than planning by guesswork.
• Spectral fat suppressionSPIR/SPAIR fat suppressionFat Sat/SPAIR fat suppression patchy at the edge of a large field of view: move the anatomy nearer the middle of the bore if the position allows, or use DixonmDIXONDixon or STIR.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The anatomy you need is in the middle of the coil’s signal, top to bottom and side to side.
• The landmarks you plan from are visible on all three planes.
• Nothing you need is in the dark fall-off zone at the coil’s edge.

Good to know

A receive coil is most sensitive close to its elements and loses signal with distance, so anatomy at the edge of a coil comes out dark and noisy. The magnetic field is most uniform at the middle of the bore (the isocentre). Off-centre anatomy makes chemically selective spectral fat suppressionSPIR/SPAIR fat suppressionFat Sat/SPAIR fat suppression less even and adds geometric distortion. If you use automatic slice planningSmartExamAutoAlign, check its slices against the same landmarks.

Sources: Department notes; Gruber 2018; Del Grande 2014; ACR Wrist PP 2022; ACR Elbow PP 2026; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; PhIngeniaTD

Set up

1. Look over the coil, cable and plug for cracks, kinks or damage before each use.
2. Run the cable straight, with no loops, no twists and no tight bends.
3. Keep the cable off the patient’s skin and never across the patient diagonally; pad it where it has to lie near them.
4. Remove any coil you are not using; never leave an unplugged coil on the table.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Cable sharply bent at the coil or the socket: move the patient up or down the table until it lies straight.
• Cable has to pass near the skin: lay an insulating pad between cable and skin.
• Damaged cable, cover or plug: do not use the coil; report it.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• Images show no unexpected dark band or missing coil elements; if they do, check the plug and cable before blaming the patient.

Good to know

Looped or crossed cables in the bore can pick up RF energy and heat. The guidelines ask for regular damage checks on all coils, cables and leads, and say an unplugged coil must never be in the scanner with the patient, because it can injure the patient or be damaged itself.

Sources: Department notes; MHRA 2026; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026

Set up

1. Ask the patient what hurts before they lie down, and set up for that.
2. Support under the knees for supine exams and support for the arms, so nothing has to be held up by effort.
3. Fill gaps between the body part and the coil with foam pads so it cannot move inside the coil.
4. Use a sandbag on top of a limb or coil to hold the position.
5. Keep a flexible or anterior coil level and parallel to the table, using pads under its edges.
6. Use only pads, pillows and sandbags approved for the MR room.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Coil tilts or rocks on the body: pad under the low side until it sits level.
• Patient moves during the scan: go in, find out why, and improve support before changing sequences.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• On the localisersurveylocalizer, the coil sits evenly over the anatomy with no wedge of fall-off on one side.

Good to know

Comfort and gentle immobilisation are the main defences against involuntary movement; time spent making the patient comfortable improves their cooperation. Pillows can hide springs and sandbags can contain metal pellets, so only labelled MR room equipment goes in. A tilted coil sits further from one side of the anatomy, and coil signal falls with distance.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Knee PP 2025; ACR Shoulder PP 2024; MHRA 2026; Gruber 2018

Set up

1. Patient in a gown provided by the department, with metal and conductive clothing, and unneeded leads and electrodes, taken off. Remove a metal-backed medication patch if the prescriber agrees; if it has to stay on, warn the patient to report any warmth at once and consider a cold pack over it, as your policy directs; warn patients with tattoos, especially new ones, to report warmth.
2. No skin-to-skin loops: hands apart and not clasped, legs uncrossed, and pads between the thighs, between the ankles, between the arms and the body, and in skin folds.
3. No skin touching the bore: put the manufacturer’s insulating pads between the patient and the bore wall. A sheet alone is not enough.
4. Cables and leads off the skin, straight, not crossing each other, and running along the length of the bore, down the middle and as far from the bore wall as possible.
5. Tell the patient to report any warmth or tingling straight away, without waiting for the sequence to end.
6. Patients who cannot feel or report heat (sedated, anaesthetised or unconscious patients, infants, reduced sensation, confusion, a language barrier): check every pad and cable twice before the table goes in, look at them between sequences, and follow your sedation and monitoring policy.
7. Before the table goes in, look along both sides of the patient for skin contact with the bore, with each other or with cables.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Large patient touches the bore or the coil cable: add insulating pads, or reconsider the scan if contact cannot be prevented.
• Patient reports heat or burning: stop the scan, bring them out, look at the skin, tell the supervising radiologist, follow your local burns procedure, and report it through your incident system and any national scheme.
• Worn, flattened pads: replace them; compressed pads no longer keep enough distance.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• No dark or bright artefact from a forgotten lead, patch or clothing item over the area being scanned.

Good to know

RF burns are the most commonly reported adverse event in MRI. A closed loop of tissue with a small contact point, such as a hand on a thigh or the thighs touching, can concentrate induced current and heat at the contact. Skin against the bore wall or a cable can burn by proximity. Burns may not hurt at first, and patients who cannot communicate are at higher risk. Your manufacturer sets the minimum pad thickness.

Sources: Department notes; ACR MR Safety 2026; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026

Set up

1. Earplugs for every patient, fitted properly: put them in yourself, or check them if the patient does it. Neonates and small infants get neonatal ear muffs instead, as your protocol directs.
2. Headphones or ear defenders on top where the coil allows.
3. In a head or head and neck coil, slide the patient up until the shoulders touch the coil so the headphones sit over the ears and the coil closes without pressing on them.
4. Anyone staying in the room during scanning wears hearing protection too.
5. At the start, ask the patient something they must answer, so you know they can hear you and you can hear them.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Head too big for headphones under the coil top: change to slimmer passive ear defenders and take out the pad under the head.
• Patient cannot hear the instructions: check the plugs and headphones are seated, raise the intercom volume, or speak the instructions yourself. Do not take the earplugs out.
• Headphones slip off during the scan: refit them, and pad them in place.

Good to know

Most sequences are loud enough that hearing protection is mandatory for all patients unless the sound level is documented below the threshold. Manufacturer headphones alone are often not enough, ear muffs can be displaced during the scan, and plugs and muffs together are recommended whenever possible. Hearing protection must still let the patient hear your instructions.

Sources: Department notes; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026; MHRA 2026

Set up

1. Give the call bell (squeeze ball) to every patient, explain when to use it, and have them test it.
2. Check the intercom works both ways and that you can see the patient on the camera.
3. Make sure their hands are on the table, not over the edge, before the table moves.
4. Set the bore fan and lighting for the patient; turn the fan up if they get warm and take off extra blankets.
5. Tell them how long the scan takes and talk to them between sequences.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Patient cannot use the bell (weak grip, confusion, sedation): find another way for them to signal, or have a screened staff member or companion stay in the room wearing hearing protection; keep continuous sight and sound contact, and monitor sedated patients as your sedation policy directs.
• Patient gets hot during a long exam: fan up, fewer covers, and check on them between sequences.
• Patient keeps moving: go in and fix the cause (pain, cold, a pressure point) before changing the protocol or switching to a radial motion-correctingMultiVane XDBLADE sequence.

Good to know

The guidelines require a way for the patient to signal distress at any time, and the patient is not left unattended. A screened companion may stay in the room, and sedated patients need monitoring. Blankets and covers should not stop the patient losing heat.

Sources: Department notes; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026; MHRA 2026; Zaitsev 2015

Set up

1. Explain the breath-holds before the patient goes in, and practise one or two on the table.
2. Ask for the same size of breath every time, not too deep and not too shallow, so each hold puts the organs in the same place.
3. Place the respiratory sensorrespiratory beltrespiratory belt where the breathing movement is greatest, under the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil with a soft pad so the coil presses on it. If your system senses breathing through the coil or a camera instead of a belt, skip the belt and position as its instructions direct.
4. Check the breathing trace is regular on the console before the first breath-hold sequence, and use it to start each hold once the trace is still.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Patient cannot hear or understand: check the hearing protection is seated and the volume is up, check for a language barrier, then switch from automatic breath-hold commandsAutoVoiceauto voice commands to giving the instructions yourself.
• Patient cannot hold long enough: split each hold into more, shorter holds, or lengthen the rest between holds.
• Breath-holds still fail: change to respiratory triggering or navigatorrespiratory navigator2D PACE navigator versions, or single-shot TSESSh TSEHASTE or radial motion-correctingMultiVane XDBLADE sequences.
• Flat or noisy breathing trace: move the respiratory sensorrespiratory beltrespiratory belt to where the belly or lower ribs move most and check the coil is pressing on it; with a built-in or camera sensor, check the coil or patient position its instructions require.
• Organs shift between consecutive breath-hold images: coach a more consistent breath and practise again.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The organs you need are inside the coil’s signal on the breath-hold localisersurveylocalizer.

Good to know

Breath-holding works, but it limits how long each acquisition can be, and several holds in a row do not always return the organs to the same place. The sensor must be placed so it registers the full range of breathing. In one volunteer study the diaphragm crept slowly upwards during long holds, especially after a very deep breath, a further reason to keep holds short. Whether to hold on breathing in or breathing out follows your protocol.

Sources: Department notes; Zaitsev 2015; Khot 2020; PhVitalEye; SHBioMatrix

1. Head coil around the head
2. Wedge under the knees
3. Call bell in the hand

Position

Supine, head first, with a support under the knees.

Coil

head coildS Head coilHead/Neck 20 or 64 coil. Usually the body coil transmits and the head coil only receives; some head coils transmit as well.

Centre

The centre mark of the head coil.

Set up

1. Slide the patient up until the shoulders touch the coil, so the headphones sit over the ears and the coil top closes cleanly.
2. Earplugs in, headphones on, call bell in hand.
3. Small head: pack foam pads either side so the head cannot roll.
4. Straighten the head before the coil top goes on: nose up, not tilted or turned.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Head too big for the coil top with headphones on: change to slimmer passive ear defenders and take out the pad under the head; then check they can still hear you.
• Head rolls or nods during the scan: add pads around the head and check comfort; a radial motion-correctingMultiVane XDBLADE T2 can reduce motion artefact.
• Patient anxious in the closed coil: explain the scan, talk between sequences, and keep the call bell in reach.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The whole brain sits inside the coil’s signal on the sagittal and coronal localisersurveylocalizer.
• The head is not rotated or tilted; if it is badly off, straighten it now rather than angling every sequence.

Sources: Department notes; Zaitsev 2015; ACR MR Safety 2026; MHRA 2026; Gruber 2018

1. Head and neck coil
2. Front of the coil over the neck
3. Pad between arm and body
4. Call bell in the hand

Position

Supine, head first, with a support under the knees and arms by the sides.

Coil

head and neck coildS HeadNeck coilHead/Neck 20 coil.

Centre

The middle of the neck, at the coil’s centre mark.

Set up

1. Shoulders down against the coil so the headphones fit and the lower neck is inside the coil.
2. Earplugs and headphones, with the same big-head and small-head fixes as the brain.
3. Pad under the knees and a pad between each arm and the body.
4. Pad around the head if it can move inside the coil.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Head too big for the coil top: slimmer passive ear defenders and no pad under the head.
• Small head moving: foam pads either side.
• Lower cervical levels dark on the localisersurveylocalizer: bring the patient further up so the shoulders sit right against the coil, and repeat.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The localisersurveylocalizer covers from the skull base to the lung apices with good signal throughout.
• On the coronal the cord runs straight down the middle.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Spine PP 2023; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026

1. Coil strapped over the chest
2. Arm in an arm holder
3. Call bell in the hand
4. Low, flat head pad

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees and arms by the sides in arm holders.

Coil

spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the chest.

Centre

Mid-chest (department practice), so the thoracic localisersurveylocalizer covers the whole region.

Set up

1. Lie the patient high enough on the table for the coil to connect without the cable straining.
2. Keep the head support low so the upper back lies flatter, as far as comfort allows.
3. Arms in arm holders with a pad between each arm and the body.
4. Level the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil with pads if it tilts on the chest.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Level cannot be counted: add a cervical localisersurveylocalizer, join it to the thoracic one as composed multi-stationcomposed (MobiView)composed (Composing) views, and count down from C2.
• Patient breathless or in pain lying flat: raise the head support a little and pad more.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The localisersurveylocalizer shows from C7 down to L1, and below the end of the cord if it ends lower.
• You can count the vertebrae from C2 on the joined view before naming any level.

Good to know

Counting down from the atlantoaxial joint is the reliable way to name a level; anatomical landmarks within the thoracic or lumbar spine alone are not reliable, and numerical variants can only be identified with whole-spine imaging.

Sources: Department notes; Tins 2016; ACR Spine PP 2023; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Coil strapped over the abdomen
2. Wedge under the knees
3. Call bell in the hand
4. Ear protection

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees.

Coil

spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the abdomen.

Centre

The lower costal margin, which sits at about L3, the middle of the lumbar spine (department practice).

Set up

1. Support under the knees for comfort.
2. Hands apart, on the chest with a fold of gown or a pad under them, or by the sides with pads between arms and body; not clasped and not touching the thighs.
3. Square the pelvis and shoulders on the table so the spine is not rotated.
4. Centre the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the same level as the landmark.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• LocaliserSurveyLocalizer too high or too low to show T11 to S2: re-centre and repeat it; do not plan from guessed landmarks.
• Spine rotated on the axial localisersurveylocalizer: straighten the patient on the table if you can.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The sagittal localisersurveylocalizer shows from about mid T11 to S2.
• Look at the kidneys, liver and abdomen on the localisersurveylocalizer for anything unexpected, and tell the radiologist.

Good to know

The knee support is for comfort. A knee support is often said to flatten the lumbar curve, but studies disagree: one small study found no practical change, and a larger one found the curve slightly flatter with a bolster.

Sources: Department notes; Murrie 2002; Simonovich 2020; MHRA 2026; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Head and neck coil
2. Flat coil over the trunk
3. Arm in an arm holder
4. Call bell in the hand

Position

Supine, head first, with a support under the knees and arms by the sides in arm holders.

Coil

head and neck coildS HeadNeck coilHead/Neck 20 coil without its base plate, with the spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil and the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil.

Centre

Mid-chest (department practice).

Set up

1. Remove the base plate of the head and neck coil so the head is not lifted and the whole spine lies at one level.
2. Shoulders against the coil for headphone fit, with the same big-head and small-head fixes as the brain.
3. Arms in holders with a pad between each arm and the body.
4. Cover the thoracic and lumbar spine with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil, level on the body.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Patient moves during one station: repeat that station without moving the planning box, so the stations still join.
• Stations do not line up: keep the box in exactly the same place for every sagittal sequence once the first has started.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• Sagittal and coronal composed multi-stationcomposed (MobiView)composed (Composing) views run from the brainstem to the sacrum so the vertebrae can be counted and aligned.
• Signal is even across the junctions between coils.

Good to know

Counting from C2 on a whole-spine view is the reliable way to name levels and pick up numerical variants.

Sources: Department notes; Tins 2016; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Coil strapped over the pelvis
2. Wedge under the knees
3. Call bell in the hand
4. Ear protection

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees.

Coil

spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil, placed as for a lumbar spine.

Centre

Midway between the iliac crest and the greater trochanter (department practice).

Set up

1. Support under the knees; pad under a sore coccyx if lying on it hurts.
2. Hands apart, on the chest with a fold of gown or a pad under them, or by the sides with pads between arms and body; not resting on the thighs.
3. Centre the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the pelvis at the same level.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Lying on a painful coccyx makes the patient move: add padding for comfort and keep to the sequences needed.
• Coccyx near the bottom edge of the signal: move the patient so the centring point is right and repeat the localisersurveylocalizer.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• Run a second localisersurveylocalizer angled to the sacrum: boxes along the sacrum on the sagittal and symmetrical through it on the coronal and axial.
• The whole sacrum and coccyx sit in the middle of the coil’s signal.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Spine PP 2023; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Coil strapped over the pelvis
2. Wedge under the knees
3. Call bell in the hand
4. Ear protection

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees.

Coil

spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil, placed as for a lumbar spine.

Centre

Midway between the iliac crest and the greater trochanter (department practice).

Set up

1. Support under the knees.
2. Lie the pelvis square on the table, not rotated.
3. Hands apart, on the chest with a fold of gown or a pad under them, or by the sides with pads between arms and body; not resting on the thighs.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Pelvis rotated on the localisersurveylocalizer: straighten the patient; small rotations can then be planned out.
• Joints near the coil edge: re-centre and repeat the localisersurveylocalizer.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• Run a second localisersurveylocalizer angled to the sacrum, with the boxes symmetrical through both joints on the coronal and axial.

Sources: Department notes; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Coil strapped over the abdomen
2. Wedge under the knees
3. Call bell in the hand
4. Ear protection

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees, as for a lumbar spine.

Coil

spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil.

Centre

As for a lumbar spine: the lower costal margin.

Set up

1. Set up exactly as for a lumbar spine.
2. Allow for a longer examination: the pars protocol adds a thin 3D volume after the routine lumbar spine.
3. Explain the length to the patient and support the knees and arms well so they can stay still.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Patient moves during the long 3D sequence: improve support and comfort first, then repeat.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The localisersurveylocalizer covers the lumbar spine as normal, with the lower lumbar levels well inside the coil’s signal.

Good to know

The routine sagittal STIR is required for pars, and the protocol adds a thin 3D T1 gradient echo volume without fat suppression, reformatted into left and right obliques along each pars.

Sources: Department notes; Del Grande 2014

1. Shoulder coil over the joint
2. Sponge in the hand
3. Pad between arm and body
4. Pad between the ankles

1. Shoulder coil over the joint
2. Pad between arm and body
3. Thumb up (not turned in), sponge in the hand
4. Ear protection

Position

Supine, head first, affected arm by the side.

Coil

shoulder coildS Shoulder coilShoulder Shape 16 coil.

Centre

The shoulder joint, in the middle of the coil.

Set up

1. Arm by the side with the hand turned partly out (partial external rotation): not turned in, and not forced.
2. Put a small sponge in the hand as a reminder to keep it turned out.
3. Large patient: support the forearm on a rolled towel or pad so the arm stays turned out and the hand rests clear of the thigh.
4. Pad between the arm and the body, and between the hand and the thigh.
5. Where the bore allows, slide the patient towards the opposite side so the shoulder sits nearer the middle, with a pad between the other arm and the bore.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Coil will not fit over a large shoulder: roll the patient slightly onto the affected side.
• Breast tissue in the way of the coil: ask the patient to move the breast away from the affected side, then fit the coil.
• Hand drifts back to internal rotation: re-place the sponge and remind them.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• On the axial localisersurveylocalizer the glenoid and humeral head are centred in the coil’s signal.
• On the coronal localisersurveylocalizer the coverage includes the AC joint and the supraspinatus tendon.

Good to know

Internal rotation can distort the supraspinatus and subscapularis tendons and should be avoided. Partial external rotation is the aim: forcing full external rotation can make fluid in the biceps tendon sheath look like a small cuff tear. Keep the turn comfortable rather than forced.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Shoulder PP 2024; Ashir 2020; Del Grande 2014; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026; ACR MR Safety 2026

1. Shoulder coil over the shoulder
2. Thumb up, sponge in the hand
3. Pad between the other arm and body
4. Call bell in the other hand

Position

Supine, head first, affected arm by the side.

Coil

shoulder coildS Shoulder coilShoulder Shape 16 coil.

Centre

The body of the scapula, in the middle of the coil.

Set up

1. Set up as for a shoulder: hand turned partly out with a sponge in it, and for a large patient a rolled towel under the forearm so the hand rests clear of the thigh.
2. Pads between the arm and the body and between the hand and the thigh.
3. Large patient: roll slightly onto the affected side to fit the coil.
4. Move breast tissue away from the affected side before fitting the coil.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Medial border of the scapula outside the coil’s signal: move the coil medially and repeat the localisersurveylocalizer.
• Scapulothoracic bursa queried: make sure the coverage reaches far enough medially.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• A second localisersurveylocalizer angled to the blade of the scapula shows the whole blade inside the coil’s signal.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Shoulder PP 2024; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Flat coil strapped on the upper back
2. Pad between the raised arm and head
3. Pad between arm and chest
4. Call bell in the hand

Position

Prone, head first.

Coil

anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil on the back, with the spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil in the table under the chest.

Centre

The affected side of the chest, moved as close to the middle of the bore as the patient allows.

Set up

1. Move the affected side as far towards the isocentre as possible, then pad between the patient and the bore on the side that moved towards it, and recheck both sides.
2. Affected arm down by the side and tucked in close, with an insulating pad between the arm and the chest wall.
3. Unaffected arm up above the head if comfortable, with a pad between the raised arm and the head.
4. Head turned to the comfortable side on a folded towel or a prone head support, face and airway clear, and the call bell in the hand by the side.
5. Turn the bore fan up: patients often get hot in this position.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Patient too hot: fan up, fewer covers, and check on them between sequences.
• Spectral fat suppressionSPIR/SPAIR fat suppressionFat Sat/SPAIR fat suppression patchy over the chest: check the affected side is as central as it can go.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The localisersurveylocalizer covers the muscle from the clavicle and sternum to its insertion on the humerus.

Good to know

The field is less uniform away from the isocentre, which is why the affected side goes as central as possible. Lying face down puts the muscle directly on the spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil in the table, the coil elements closest to it, because a receive coil is most sensitive near its elements; the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil on the back completes the set-up (department practice).

Sources: Department notes; Gruber 2018; Del Grande 2014; MHRA 2026; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026

1. Coil around the elbow, sandbag on top
2. Sponge under the elbow
3. Palm up, sandbag over the wrist
4. Head turned, cheek on a towel

Position

Prone in the superman position (affected arm overhead), or lying on the affected side.

Coil

small wrap-around extremity coildS Small Extremity coilUltraFlex Small 18 coil. If the elbow is held flexed, use the shoulder coildS Shoulder coilShoulder Shape 16 coil (department practice) or a knee coildS Knee coilTx/Rx Knee 18 coil, as the guideline suggests for an adult who cannot straighten the elbow.

Centre

The elbow joint, in the middle of the coil.

Set up

1. Towel under the armpit; keep the shoulder flat, shuffling the patient back if needed.
2. Small sponge or flannel under the elbow; extend the elbow as far as is comfortable.
3. If the arm will not straighten fully, a small sponge under the forearm supports it slightly bent.
4. Hand turned palm up (supinated), with a sandbag over the hand to hold it.
5. Arm overhead: pad between the raised arm and the head, keep the hand and coil off the bore wall, and put the call bell in the other hand.
6. Sponge or flannel over the arm, then close the coil with the larger flap over the smaller, overlapping. Sandbag over the coil.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Signal drop-off across the joint: the coil flaps are not overlapping; reclose with the larger flap over the smaller.
• Patient cannot hold the superman position: scan with the arm down by the side, with pads between the arm and the body, the hand and the thigh, and the arm and the bore; expect less even spectral fat suppressionSPIR/SPAIR fat suppressionFat Sat/SPAIR fat suppression, and use DixonmDIXONDixon or STIR.
• Elbow held flexed: change to the shoulder coildS Shoulder coilShoulder Shape 16 coil or a knee coildS Knee coilTx/Rx Knee 18 coil, with a pad between the skin and the coil.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The localisersurveylocalizer shows the joint centred, with about a third of the humerus and of the forearm bones either side.

Good to know

Arm overhead puts the elbow near the isocentre, where the field is most uniform; by the side it lies where the field is less uniform and chemically selective fat suppression suffers. The prone position is uncomfortable for many patients, and pronating the forearm can distort the collateral ligaments and tendons on the coronal images.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Elbow PP 2026; Del Grande 2014; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026

1. Wrist coil around the wrist
2. Wrist straight, in line with the forearm
3. Sandbag over the forearm
4. Pad between the arm and the head

Position

Prone in the superman position, affected arm overhead.

Coil

wrist coildS Wrist coilHand/Wrist 16 coil. Use the small wrap-around extremity coildS Small Extremity coilUltraFlex Small 18 coil if the hand does not fit or the wrist is in a cast.

Centre

The wrist joint, at the level of the tip of the ulnar styloid.

Set up

1. Wrist straight in line with the forearm, not bent to either side.
2. Towel under the armpit, and a sponge or towel under the forearm.
3. Small wrist: a small sponge over the hand to stop it moving in the coil.
4. Sandbag over the forearm.
5. Arm overhead: pad between the raised arm and the head, keep the hand and coil off the bore wall, and put the call bell in the other hand.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Wrist cannot be held straight: shuffle the whole body away from the side being scanned until the wrist lines up.
• Patient cannot lie in the superman position: arm by the side using the base plate that holds the wrist coil on its side, with pads between the arm and the body, the hand and the thigh, and the arm and the bore; rolling the patient partly onto their side brings the wrist nearer the middle.
• Superman uncomfortable: a soft pad under the chest can make it easier to hold.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• On the coronal localisersurveylocalizer the radius and ulna run straight and the carpal bones are in the middle of the coil.

Good to know

Overhead positioning improves the evenness of fat suppression because the wrist is at the isocentre. A wrist angled steeply in the magnet can produce magic angle artefact in the tendons.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Wrist PP 2022; Del Grande 2014; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026

1. Fingers and thumb taped together
2. Thumb alongside the hand, not tucked under
3. Hand flat on a long sponge
4. Coil open; it closes before scanning

Position

Prone in the superman position, affected hand overhead.

Coil

small wrap-around extremity coildS Small Extremity coilUltraFlex Small 18 coil.

Centre

The middle of the hand and wrist.

Set up

1. Towel under the armpit; shoulder flat.
2. Tape the fingers and thumb together gently so there are no air gaps, without bending or squeezing any joint.
3. Hand and fingers straight, in line with the forearm, flat on a long straight sponge.
4. Thumb alongside the hand, not tucked under the palm.
5. Sponge over the hand, close the coil with the larger flap over the smaller and overlapping, then a sandbag over the arm.
6. Arm overhead: pad between the raised arm and the head, keep the hand and coil off the bore wall, and put the call bell in the other hand.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Spectral fat suppressionSPIR/SPAIR fat suppressionFat Sat/SPAIR fat suppression patchy between the fingers: re-tape to close the air gaps, or use DixonmDIXONDixon.
• Thumb tucked under: bring it into line, or you will need extra coronal coverage.
• Signal drop-off: the coil flaps are not overlapping.
• Patient cannot lie in the superman position: arm by the side, with pads between the arm and the body, the hand and the thigh, and the arm and the bore.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• On the coronal localisersurveylocalizer the hand and wrist lie flat and straight, with all the joints in one plane.

Good to know

Air spaces against soft tissue make the local field uneven, which spoils chemically selective fat suppression; taping also immobilises the fingers. With the thumb adducted alongside the fingers, magic angle artefact in the thumb tendons is reduced. Some services image both hands together in the “prayer” position for inflammatory arthritis.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Fingers Toes PP 2023; ACR Ankle PP 2026; Del Grande 2014; ACR Wrist PP 2022; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026

1. Tape round the fingers and thumb
2. Coil open; it closes before scanning
3. Coil reaches past the fingertips
4. Sponge under the forearm

Position

Prone in the superman position, affected hand overhead.

Coil

small wrap-around extremity coildS Small Extremity coilUltraFlex Small 18 coil.

Centre

The joint or segment of the finger under question.

Set up

1. Towel under the armpit; shoulder flat.
2. Tape the fingers and thumb together gently with no air gaps, without deforming any joint.
3. Hand and fingers as straight as possible.
4. Sponge over the hand, coil flaps overlapping with the larger over the smaller, sandbag over the arm.
5. Arm overhead: pad between the raised arm and the head, keep the hand and coil off the bore wall, and put the call bell in the other hand.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Signal drop-off: the flaps are not overlapping.
• Patient cannot lie in the superman position: arm by the side, with pads between the arm and the body, the hand and the thigh, and the arm and the bore.
• Glomus tumour queried: make sure the fingertip is well inside the coil.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• Second localisersurveylocalizer angled to the anatomy or lesion in question; coverage follows the indication.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Fingers Toes PP 2023; ACR Ankle PP 2026; Zaitsev 2015; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026

1. Hand on its side, thumb on top
2. Sponge in the palm
3. Four fingers taped, thumb left free
4. Coil open; it closes before scanning

Position

Prone in the superman position, affected hand overhead.

Coil

small wrap-around extremity coildS Small Extremity coilUltraFlex Small 18 coil.

Centre

The thumb joint in question (IP or MCP joint).

Set up

1. Towel under the armpit; shoulder flat.
2. Hand on its side with a sponge in the palm.
3. Tape the fingers together to remove air gaps; leave the thumb slightly abducted and lined up with the length of the bore, supported by the sponge, with the MCP joint in its natural shape.
4. Sponge over the hand, coil flaps overlapping with the larger over the smaller, sandbag over the arm.
5. Arm overhead: pad between the raised arm and the head, keep the hand and coil off the bore wall, and put the call bell in the other hand.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Signal drop-off: the flaps are not overlapping.
• Patient cannot lie in the superman position: arm by the side, with pads between the arm and the body, the hand and the thigh, and the arm and the bore.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• Second localisersurveylocalizer angled to the joint in question (IP or MCP joint).

Good to know

When the thumb is the main interest, the guideline aligns it with the main magnetic field, slightly abducted, which may need a towel roll or foam pad in the palm.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Fingers Toes PP 2023; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026

1. Coil over the pelvis
2. Folded towel between the thighs
3. Sponge under the knee
4. Hands apart on pads, bell in hand

Position

Supine, feet first, small sponges under the knees and a folded towel between the thighs.

Coil

spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the pelvis.

Centre

The level of the greater trochanters (department practice).

Set up

1. Small sponges under the knees.
2. A towel or insulating pad between the thighs so they do not touch.
3. Hands apart, resting on the chest in arm holders with a fold of gown or a pad between the hands and the chest; not clasped and not touching the thighs.
4. Lie the pelvis square on the table and centre the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil level over it.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Pelvis rotated on the localisersurveylocalizer: straighten the patient before planning.
• Thighs or hands touching skin to skin: add pads before the table goes in.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• A second localisersurveylocalizer aligned symmetrically through both hips using the acetabula, with the boxes at matching angles.

Good to know

Pads between the thighs, and between the arms and the body, break skin-to-skin loops that can concentrate RF heating at small contact points.

Sources: Department notes; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026; MHRA 2026

1. Coil over pelvis and upper thighs
2. Folded towel between the thighs
3. Sponge under the knee
4. Hands apart on pads, bell in hand

Position

Supine, feet first, small sponges under the knees and a folded towel between the thighs.

Coil

spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the pelvis and upper thighs.

Centre

The level of the greater trochanters (department practice).

Set up

1. Set up as for a pelvis and hip: knee sponges, towel between the thighs, hands apart on the chest in arm holders with a pad or fold of gown under them.
2. Use this protocol when the question is the hamstring origin, or the pain is clearly at the ischial tuberosity.
3. If a second station may be needed, check the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil can be moved down to cover the thigh as far as the knee.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• High signal runs below the bottom of the field of view: add a second station, moving the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil down so it covers to the knee.
• Torn tendon end not on the images: extend the coverage until it is included.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• A second localisersurveylocalizer centred on the ischia, symmetrical through both of them (or through the hips if the ischia are hard to see).

Sources: Department notes; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026; MHRA 2026

1. Knee coil around one knee
2. Supports under the other leg
3. Call bell in the hand
4. Ear protection

Position

Supine, feet first, knee straight or nearly straight in the coil.

Coil

knee coildS Knee coilTx/Rx Knee 18 coil.

Centre

The apex (lower tip) of the patella at the centre of the coil.

Set up

1. Place the apex of the patella at the middle of the coil.
2. Flex the knee no more than about 10 degrees (department practice), resting comfortably.
3. Pad the knee inside the coil so it cannot move.
4. Legs uncrossed, with a pad between the legs and between the other leg and the coil.
5. Mild external rotation of the leg is often comfortable.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Signal drop-out in the femur or the tibia and fibula: the knee is not centred in the coil; move it and repeat the localisersurveylocalizer.
• Large knee a tight fit: use a slightly larger coil if one is available, rather than forcing the knee in.
• Large effusion: add axial slices so all of the fluid is covered.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• On the localisersurveylocalizer the joint line is in the middle of the coil, with the fibular neck visible at the lower end.
• The fibula is visible on the second localisersurveylocalizer for planning.

Good to know

The guideline describes the knee as completely or nearly completely extended, with gentle immobilisation and comfort measures to reduce involuntary motion, and a coil sized closely to the knee.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Knee PP 2025; Gruber 2018; Lefevre 2016; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026

1. Foot and ankle coil on one foot
2. Wedge under the knee and calf
3. Pad between the lower legs
4. Block between other foot and coil

1. Boot-shaped foot and ankle coil
2. Wedge under the knee
3. Block between other foot and coil

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees.

Coil

foot and ankle coildS FootAnkle coilFoot/Ankle 16 coil.

Centre

The ankle joint, in the middle of the coil.

Set up

1. Support under the knees.
2. Foot at a right angle (neutral) so the heel rests on the base plate.
3. Close the coil top without it pressing on the shin.
4. Check the coil cable has no sharp bend; move the patient up the table if it is kinked.
5. Legs uncrossed, with a pad between the legs and between the other leg and the coil.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Coil top presses on the leg: reduce the knee flexion and take the sponge out of the coil.
• Still pressing: put a small foam sponge under the heel instead, or a flannel on the leg, so the coil does not dig in.
• Syndesmosis injury: extend the axial coverage upwards until the coil signal runs out.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• On the localisersurveylocalizer the talus is in the middle of the coil, with the plantar fascia and the ankle joint both in view on the sagittal.

Good to know

DixonmDIXONDixon gives more reliable fat suppression than chemically selective methods where the off-centre position and the irregular air and soft tissue edges of the ankle and foot make the field uneven.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Ankle PP 2026; MHRA 2026; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Foot and ankle coil on one foot
2. Wedge under the knee and calf
3. Pad between the lower legs
4. Block between other foot and coil

1. Foot and ankle coil
2. Heel resting down in the coil base
3. Wedge under the knee
4. Block between other foot and coil

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees.

Coil

foot and ankle coildS FootAnkle coilFoot/Ankle 16 coil. Use the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil instead when a complete rupture is suspected.

Centre

The Achilles tendon, in the middle of the coil.

Set up

1. Set up as for the ankle: foot at a right angle with the heel on the base plate, coil top off the shin, cable without sharp bends.
2. Before you start, check the request and look at the back of the leg for the signs of a complete rupture.
3. Suspected complete rupture: use the ankle coil base plate without its top, swap the thick sponge for a thin one so the leg lies more level with the ankle, rest the heel on the base plate, and lay the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the whole ankle and calf, padded level. If the base plate contains coil elements, keep it plugged in or use a plain positioning pad instead; never leave an unplugged coil part in the bore.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Dent where the tendon should be, with a lump in the calf from the retracted tendon: change to the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil set-up so the whole tendon is covered.
• Tendon still attached at its insertion: scan in the foot and ankle coildS FootAnkle coilFoot/Ankle 16 coil, and add anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil imaging afterwards if needed.
• High signal runs above the ankle coil’s coverage: finish the ankle study, then image the calf with the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil.
• Patient cannot flex the ankle because of the rupture: accept the position and adjust the coverage.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• On the localisersurveylocalizer the whole tendon, from the calcaneus up to the muscle junction or the torn end, is inside the coil’s signal.

Good to know

The guideline notes that a large Achilles tear may need a sagittal field of view of about 22 cm, which can be more than an ankle coil covers.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Ankle PP 2026; ACR MR Safety 2026; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Foot and ankle coil on one foot
2. Wedge under the knee and calf
3. Pad between the lower legs
4. Block between other foot and coil

1. Foot and ankle coil
2. Coil base under the heel
3. Block between other foot and coil

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees.

Coil

foot and ankle coildS FootAnkle coilFoot/Ankle 16 coil.

Centre

The toes for the forefoot; the region in question for the midfoot.

Set up

1. Support under the knees; foot at a right angle (neutral) so the heel rests on the base plate.
2. Close the coil top without it pressing on the leg.
3. Check the coil cable has no sharp bend; move the patient up the table if it is kinked.
4. Legs uncrossed, with a pad between the legs and between the other leg and the coil.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Coil top presses on the leg: reduce the knee flexion and take the sponge out of the coil; add a sponge or flannel on the leg if it still touches.
• Pain spread across the forefoot or midfoot: start with a large field of view DixonmDIXONDixon sagittal, then angle the later sequences to what it shows.
• Problems in both the ankle and the foot: consider two separate studies so each is angled correctly.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The localisersurveylocalizer shows the forefoot or midfoot region in the middle of the coil, with the toes included when they are part of the question.

Sources: Department notes; ACR Ankle PP 2026; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Toes under the coil top
2. Foot relaxed, not held upright
3. Heel resting on the base plate

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the knees.

Coil

foot and ankle coildS FootAnkle coilFoot/Ankle 16 coil.

Centre

The great toe.

Set up

1. Leave the foot relaxed rather than held at a right angle; this makes it easier to rest the great toe against the base plate.
2. Lift the coil so the great toe sits more centrally in it.
3. Check the coil cable has no sharp bend; move the patient up the table if needed.
4. Legs uncrossed, with a pad between the legs and between the other leg and the coil.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Toe near the edge of the coil: lift or shift the coil until the toe is central, and repeat the localisersurveylocalizer.
• Plantar plate or sesamoids in question: expect a much flatter angle than for the joints or bone.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• Second localisersurveylocalizer angled to the anatomy in question (MTP or IP joint, plantar plate, sesamoids, tendons).

Sources: Department notes; ACR Fingers Toes PP 2023; Gruber 2018; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021

1. Coil over the upper abdomen
2. Arms above the head, hands apart
3. Pads between arms and head
4. Wedge under the knees

Position

Supine, feet first, with a support under the legs; arms above the head on a support, hands apart and not touching the head, with a pad between the arms and the head and the hands padded off the bore; bring them down if the hands go numb or tingle.

Coil

anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the upper abdomen, with the spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil in the table.

Centre

The upper abdomen, so the coil covers the whole liver and biliary system.

Set up

1. Check the patient has fasted as your protocol directs; if not, tell the radiologist and record it.
2. Place the respiratory sensorrespiratory beltrespiratory belt over the upper abdomen with a soft sponge, so the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil presses on it; with a built-in or camera sensor, position as its instructions direct.
3. Check the breathing rate and trace are regular on the console before the first breath-hold or respiratory triggering sequence.
4. Explain the breath-holds and practise them: the same size of breath every time.
5. If you use a navigatorrespiratory navigator2D PACE navigator, place it across the dome of the right hemidiaphragm, about a third in lung and two thirds in liver (department practice).

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Not coping with breath-holds: shorten each hold or lengthen the rest between them.
• Still not coping: change from automatic breath-hold commandsAutoVoiceauto voice commands to giving the instructions yourself, and start each hold once the breathing trace and the coil have stopped moving.
• Still failing: change to respiratory triggering versions, or your department’s fast protocol.
• Arms cannot stay above the head: bring them down by the sides, with pads between the arms and the body.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The localisersurveylocalizer shows the whole liver and biliary tree inside the coil’s signal; a long liver may need the coil moved down.

Good to know

Fasting reduces fluid in the stomach and duodenum, reduces bowel movement and helps the gallbladder fill, so fluid in the bowel does not overlap the ducts. Some services also give a negative oral agent to darken stomach and duodenal fluid. Contrast for liver protocols is given as your protocol and radiologist direct.

Sources: Department notes; Griffin 2012; Zaitsev 2015; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026; PhVitalEye; SHBioMatrix

1. Coil over the pelvis
2. Cushion under the legs
3. Hands apart, bell in one hand
4. Ear protection

Position

Supine, feet first, with a pillow or sponge under the legs.

Coil

anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil over the pelvis, with the spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil in the table. Add a second anterior array when the abdomen is included.

Centre

The pelvis; higher when abdominal sequences are part of the protocol.

Set up

1. If your protocol uses an antispasmodic or contrast, the patient is checked for contraindications and the drug is given by authorised staff as your protocol directs; place any IV line before positioning.
2. A small pillow under the legs keeps the anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil parallel to the table.
3. A strap across the pelvis can limit breathing movement, if the patient can tolerate it.
4. Place the respiratory sensorrespiratory beltrespiratory belt on the abdomen when abdominal breath-hold sequences are included, or use your system’s built-in or camera sensor.
5. When the abdomen is included, set the coil high enough and the arms above the head on a support, hands apart and not touching the head, with a pad between the arms and the head and the hands padded off the bore; bring them down if the hands go numb or tingle.
6. For a pelvis-only scan, rest the hands apart on the chest with a fold of gown under them, or by the sides with pads between the arms and the body; keep the hands off the thighs.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Uterus or bowel blurred on T2 images: check whether the antispasmodic was given, and time the key sequences while it is working.
• Abdominal sequences with dark areas at the top: the coil is too low; move it up and repeat the localisersurveylocalizer.
• Breath-holds failing on the abdominal single-shot TSESSh TSEHASTE or 3D T1 gradient echoTHRIVEVIBE sequences: see Breath-holds and breathing sensors.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• The localisersurveylocalizer covers the whole uterus and both ovaries in the coil’s signal, and the abdomen to the diaphragm when it is part of the protocol.

Good to know

An antispasmodic reduces motion artefact from bowel and uterine peristalsis; its effect lasts a shorter time given intravenously than intramuscularly, which is why the timing of the key sequences matters. Bladder filling and fasting advice differs by indication, so follow your protocol for the clinical question.

Sources: Department notes; Avesani 2024; Thomassin-Naggara 2025; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; ACR MR Safety 2026

1. Head and neck coil
2. Two flat coils over the body
3. Pads between arms and body
4. Wedges and pads at the knees

Position

Supine, head first, legs straight with the knees pointing up.

Coil

head and neck coildS HeadNeck coilHead/Neck 20 coil without its base plate, with two anterior body coildS Torso coilBody 18 coil arrays and the spine coildS Posterior coilSpine 32 coil in the table, plus the further arrays your system’s whole-body set-up uses for the legs and feet.

Centre

As your system’s whole-body set-up directs; the coverage runs from the top of the head to the feet.

Set up

1. Take the base plate off the head and neck coil.
2. Arms by the sides, held in with arm supports and sandbags, with insulating pads between the arms and the body.
3. Small wedge sponges or a rolled towel under the legs, knees pointing straight up, and sandbags at the feet.
4. Insulating pads between the thighs, knees and ankles so the legs do not touch, and between the arms and the bore in a larger patient.
5. Place the respiratory sensorrespiratory beltrespiratory belt over the lower chest or upper abdomen, where breathing movement is greatest, or use your system’s built-in or camera sensor.
6. Check that no bare skin touches a coil edge or cable, and turn the bore fan up.

What goes wrong, and the fix

• Patient warm during the long exam: fan up, fewer covers, and check on them between stations.
• Top of the head or the feet cut off the composed multi-stationcomposed (MobiView)composed (Composing) views: reposition so the full length fits, then repeat the localisersurveylocalizer.
• Head and neck coil base plate left on: the head is lifted and the spine does not lie level; take it off.

Check on the first localisersurveylocalizer

• Coronal and sagittal composed multi-stationcomposed (MobiView)composed (Composing) views run from the top of the head to the feet.
• The stations overlap, with no gap between them.

Good to know

STIR is used because it suppresses fat evenly over a large field of view and away from the isocentre, where chemically selective methods struggle. With many coils and cables on the body, check for skin contact before the table goes in.

Sources: Department notes; Del Grande 2014; RANZCR MRI Safety 2021; MHRA 2026; ACR MR Safety 2026