• Object ID: 00000018WIA30A71970GYZ
  • Topic ID: id_40025543 Version: 1.5
  • Date: Jun 22, 2022 1:16:41 PM

Multi Station: acquire a localizer scan

About this task

Use these steps to build and scan a Multi Station localizer for a peripheral vascular run-off exam.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. If the exam does not have a Multi Station protocol loaded into the Workflow Manager, then follow these steps.
    1. Click Add Task > Add Sequence.
    2. From the Protocol Manager select Abdomen.
      • If you do not have a protocol built in your site library, select the GE protocol library.
    3. Select an Vascular run-off exam with the desired bolus detection protocol: SP for Smart Prep and FT or FTR for Fluoro Trigger.
    4. Click the arrow to load the protocol into the Protocol Basket.
    5. Click Accept to load the protocol into the Workflow Manager and close the protocol window.
  2. To setup the localizer for the Multi Station protocol, follow these steps.
    • The protocol should have the following components:
      • 3 series of Vascular TOF localizers for Bottom, Middle and Top, used to visualize vessels.
      • 3 series of 3 plane localizers for Bottom, Middle and Top, used to visualize anatomy.
      • 3 series of 3D Vascular TOF SPGR contrast for Top, Middle and Bottom.
        Figure 1. Workflow Manager showing protocol components
        1. From the Workflow Manager, select either the TOF or 3-Plane set of localizers, right-click and select Cut to remove the three unnecessary localizer series.
          Figure 2. Cut one of the two localizer series from the Workflow Manager
        2. Individually, select each localizer series in the Workflow Manger and click Setup.
        3. From the Coil tab, note that auto coil selects the best coil for each station.
        4. From the Scan Parameter, Details and Vascular screens, consider the following scan parameters for each localizer.
          • Image parameters: Plane = Axial, Mode = 2D, Family = Vascular, Pulse = Fast TOF-SPGR.
            Table 1. Scan parameters per station
            FOVFOV centerSliceThicknessSpacingRange
            46 cmP206-7 mm0S0-S460
            46 cmP010 mm0S410 - S870
            46 cmP010 mm0S820-S1280
          • Each station should be approximately 400-450 mm apart with a station overlap of 30-50 mm. The distance is dependent on the patient height.
          • Acquisition Timing: Phase = 128, Frequency = 256, NEX = 2, PFOV = 1.0, Shim = Auto
          • Vascular tab: Projection Images = 10, Collapse = On.
          • To reduce scan time, use a larger FOV with a smaller No Phase Wrap factor, or set No Phase Wrap to 1.0 and either place the patient’s arms above the head or raised on cushions above the abdomen. Reduce the NEX value.
        5. Click Save Rx for each series edited.
  3. To scan the localizer, follow these steps.
    1. Select the first station labeled Top Loc.
    2. Click Scan arrow > Auto Prescan. Typically, acquire the first station as a breath hold.
    3. Click Scan to start the first localizer series.
    4. Repeat steps 1-3 for each station.
    5. Set up the Multi Station series.