Below are normal report texts for the most requested MRI examinations. In spine reports, a fixed order (alignment, vertebral bodies, discs, canal and foramina) makes level-by-level findings easy to place. Under each template you find a short dictation and the sentence it produces. Adapt the technique section to your own sequences.
Brain MRI
A normal brain MRI report covers parenchymal signal, diffusion, CSF spaces, midline, extra-axial spaces, posterior fossa and the sellar region.
TECHNIQUE: Brain MRI with axial T1, T2, FLAIR and diffusion-weighted sequences, with sagittal and coronal planes.
FINDINGS:
Normal brain parenchymal signal.
No restricted diffusion.
The ventricles and sulci are of normal size for age.
Midline structures are central.
No extra-axial collection or mass.
The cerebellum and brainstem are unremarkable.
The pituitary gland and sella turcica appear normal.
The paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells are clear.
IMPRESSION: Normal brain MRI.
"a few nonspecific T2 FLAIR hyperintense foci in the right periventricular white matter"
A few nonspecific T2/FLAIR hyperintense foci are seen in the right periventricular white matter.
Lumbar spine MRI
Lumbar spine MRI is one of the most frequent MRI requests. Writing alignment, vertebrae, discs, canal and foramina in fixed order makes level-by-level findings easy to place.
TECHNIQUE: Lumbar spine MRI with sagittal T1, T2, STIR and axial T2-weighted sequences.
FINDINGS:
Lumbar lordosis is preserved.
Vertebral body heights and bone marrow signal are normal.
Intervertebral disc heights and disc signal are preserved.
No disc herniation.
The spinal canal and neural foramina are patent.
The facet joints are unremarkable.
The conus medullaris is at a normal level with normal signal.
Paravertebral soft tissues are unremarkable.
IMPRESSION: Normal lumbar spine MRI.
"L4-5 right paramedian protrusion contacting the right L5 nerve root"
At L4-5 there is a right paramedian disc protrusion contacting the right L5 nerve root.
Cervical spine MRI
The cervical spine report adds the spinal cord and the craniocervical junction to the lumbar structure.
TECHNIQUE: Cervical spine MRI with sagittal T1, T2, STIR and axial T2-weighted sequences.
FINDINGS:
Cervical lordosis is preserved.
Vertebral body heights and bone marrow signal are normal.
Intervertebral disc heights are preserved; no disc herniation.
The spinal canal and neural foramina are patent.
The spinal cord is of normal calibre and signal.
The craniocervical junction is unremarkable.
IMPRESSION: Normal cervical spine MRI.
"C5-6 central protrusion indenting the thecal sac"
At C5-6 there is a central disc protrusion indenting the thecal sac.
Knee MRI
Knee MRI: menisci, cruciate and collateral ligaments, extensor mechanism, cartilage, bone marrow and effusion, each in its own sentence.
TECHNIQUE: Knee joint examined in sagittal, coronal and axial planes with PD and T1-weighted sequences.
FINDINGS:
No signal change consistent with a tear in the medial or lateral meniscus.
The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are normal.
The medial and lateral collateral ligaments are unremarkable.
The extensor mechanism is unremarkable.
Articular cartilage is preserved.
Bone marrow signal is normal.
No joint effusion.
IMPRESSION: Normal knee MRI.
"tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus reaching the articular surface, small effusion"
A tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus extending to the articular surface is seen. There is a small joint effusion.
Reporting with these templates
Use these normal reports as Raporio templates and you only say the finding: a short dictation such as "L4-5 right paramedian protrusion" becomes the right level sentence. For CT, see normal CT report examples.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use these MRI templates?
Yes, freely. Remember to update the technique section to your department's sequences.
How should levels be written in spine MRI?
Name each level separately and state the relation to the nerve root (contact, compression) clearly.
Try it with your own template
Say your findings and Raporio fills in your template. Nothing to install, it runs in the browser.
