Contact us details MS/NICE/CCSVI protocols

This section provides a list of sequences that can be used to collect data on arteries, veins, flow and iron content in the body for the CCSVI/SWI study.

The radiologist will know how to run the following scans:

  • a 2D time-of-flight MRV through the head and neck down to the subclavian

  • a time resolved MRA/MRV of the head and neck coronally to the aortic arch

  • flow quantification through the straight sinus, the jugular (upper and lower) and coronally through the jugular/subclavian and brachiocephalic veins in one plane, to check for reflux flow and slow flow

  • SWI if available to check for the small venous structures and iron content


    • Please note that although these protocols come from a Siemens scanner, they are valid for all manufacturers systems.

    THIS IS A FLEXIBLE PROTOCOL THAT CAN HAVE A VARIETY OF SEQUENCE TYPES USED AS LONG AS THE MAIN INFORMATION DESCRIBED ABOVE IS OBTAINED (MRV/FLOW/SWI) AS WELL AS A CONVENTIONAL MS SCAN IF POSSIBLE. For example, a spin echo T1 or MP-RAGE can be used or any other reasonable equivalent of any of the sequences shown here. We would recommend not using any resolution worse than what we have proposed although higher resolution would be fine. The closer we stick to creating similar information across systems the more useful this information will be in the future.

    General scanning procedure for any MR system and any field strength
    Scanning protocol

    Siemens 1.5T:
    MRI Protocol for MS study for 1.5T Siemens Sonata
    SIEMENS MAGNETOM Sonata CP head coil
    SIEMENS MAGNETOM Sonata 8 channel coil
    1.5T 8 CH NECK DICOM
    1.5T DICOM CP COIL

    Siemens 3T:
    Preffered 3T Scanning Procedure(23 June 2010)
    Alternate 3T Scanning Procedure(23 June 2010)
    Preferred MS Protocol(15 June 2010) - PDF
    Alternate MS Protocol(15 June 2010) - PDF
    SIEMENS MAGNETOM Verio Syngo MR B15V
    Self-extracting archive:
    Preffered MS Protocol(15 June 2010) - DICOM
    Alternate MS Protocol(15 June 2010) - DICOM
    Preffered MS Protocol(15 June 2010) - EDX
    Alternate MS Protocol(15 June 2010) - EDX