Why Should Radiologists Evaluate MR Localizer Sequences?

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) localizer sequences in the detection of spinal incidental findings.

Materials and methods: MR localizer sequence findings from 384 patients were reviewed retrospectively. The images were evaluated by an experienced radiologist. T2-weighted diagnostic sagittal and coronal images included in the abdominal images were taken as references.

Results: Of the 384 patients, 170 were female and 214 were male. Pathology was detected in 63 of the patients. The findings were more common in male groups. These pathologies were spinal discopathy, metastases, hemangioma, angulation in the coccyx, and hemivertebra.

Conclusions: Although often overlooked, MR localizer images enable diagnosing additional pathologies in the spine. These are unsuspected but can be critical for patient management, reducing patient morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: discopathy; incidental; magnetic resonance spine localizer; spinal; unsuspected.

Figure 1. Vertebral metastases in a 61-year-old male patient.

MR localizer sequence (a) and axial T1-weighted image (b) show sharply demarcated metastatic lesion (arrows).

Figure 2. L4 hemivertebra in a 51-year-old male patient.

Coronal T2-weighted image (a) and MR localizer sequence (b) show hemivertebra (arrows).