MRI abdomen/pelvis — non-contrast rapid protocol
Diaphragm to symphysis pubis
Typical, not policy
Timings, volumes and delays here are representative values drawn from published guidance. Scanner generation, injector, cardiac output and local preference all move them. Confirm against your department's own protocol before you rely on a number.
When to use it
- Suspected appendicitis in pregnancy after non-diagnostic ultrasound.
- Abdominal or pelvic pain in a young patient where cumulative CT dose is a concern.
Technique
- Rapid breath-hold or free-breathing single-shot T2 with fat-saturated sequences and DWI; gadolinium is generally avoided in pregnancy.
Where it goes wrong
- Availability out of hours varies widely, so an MRI-first pathway that is correct on paper can be undeliverable overnight — state the fallback rather than assuming access.
Clinical questions that reach this study
Suspected intra-abdominal abscess or collectionSuspected appendicitisSuspected acute diverticulitisSuspected bowel obstructionSuspected placenta accreta spectrumBladder cancer — pretreatment stagingVisible haematuria — suspected urothelial cancerAcute flank pain — suspected renal colicSuspected pyelonephritis or renal abscess
Contrast
None
Acquisition
Safety checks this protocol carries
Derived from the contrast agent and phases above, not authored here — which is why they cannot drift apart from what the protocol actually does.
- MR safety screening for implants and foreign bodies· radiographer at scan
- Sedation or anaesthesia for a child· nurse pre scan