Table 2.

Spinal cord section magnetic resonance imaging protocol

Parameters	Description
Electromagnetic field	Images should be of good quality with an appropriate SNR value and resolution (≤ 1 × 1 mm)
Scanning range	Whole cervical spinal cord scanned
Slice thickness and gaps	Sagittal: ≤ 3 mm, no gaps (for 2D and 3D) Axial: 3 mm, no gaps
Basic sequences	1. T2 sagittal 2. T1 sagittal Administration of a contrast medium1 (T1 sequence 5-10 minutes after administration!) 3. Sagittal T2 FAT-SAT, PD or PST1-IR 4. T2 axially at the level of the lesions visible in SAG sequences 5. T1 sagittal 6. T1 axial 1The recommended dose of a contrast medium is 0.1 mmol/kg body mass, see General comments.
Optional sequences	1. T2 coronal at the level of the lesions visible in the following sequences: SAG AX PD or SAG T2 FAT-SAT, PD or PST1-IR 2. 3DT1 sagittal (to assess brain atrophy)