MRI in the ED

September 2023- The exceptions to the above policy as of this fall are MRI for occult hip fracture and cauda equina MRI. See below

1. “MRI Limited Cauda Equina Syndrome Lumbar Spine WO Contrast”: This is a T2 weighted scan that should take 7-8 minutes to complete and is useful for ruling out cauda equina. As we typically place these patients in EDOU for Cauda Equina rule out (for full sequence MRI), this should help us expedite these workups much more quickly than before. If you are worried about other spinal level cord compression or epidural abscess, for the time being, full MRI should be ordered.

2. “MRI Limited WO Contrast Bilateral Limited Occult Hip Fracture”: This is an 8 minute long MR study to evaluate for occult fracture for orthopedic surgery colleagues.