Description
A positional lumbar spine MRI protocol comparing supine and prone scans to assess dynamic movement of the conus medullaris and terminal filum. It is used to detect occult tethered cord syndrome (OTCS) when routine supine MRI appears structurally normal.
What it diagnoses / detects?
• Reduced or absent ventral displacement of the conus/filum in prone position
• Functional (dynamic) tethering without obvious anatomical abnormalities
• Subtle tethering missed on static imaging
Key benefits:
• Adds functional/dynamic assessment to standard MRI
• Improves sensitivity in symptomatic patients with normal conus level
• Non-invasive, no contrast, no radiation
• Helps guide surgical decision-making and avoid false negatives
Important context:
• Applied specifically to the lumbar spine (conus and filum region)
• Interpretation depends on comparison between supine and prone scans, not prone alone
• Best used when clinical suspicion is high despite a “normal” MRI
Why second opinion matters here?
• Findings are subtle and operator-dependent
• No fully standardized displacement thresholds
• Expert re-review improves confidence in borderline or high-impact cases
• Helps prevent both missed OTCS and unnecessary surgery
In short – The Kazuyoshi Protocol reveals how the spinal cord moves, not just how it looks—making it especially valuable for diagnosing occult tethered cord when routine MRI is inconclusive.
Before ordering a Second Opinion on the MRI study, please make sure you have the scan images that are in: DICOM File format
HOW IT WORKS IN 3 EASY STEPS
STEP 1. Purchase your desired 2nd Radiology Opinion.
♦ To ensure full and proper payment, make sure the appropriate quantity is added to the “Cart”. Each Image Study = (1) One Quantity.
→ By purchasing an MRI Second Opinion, you are contracting Target Radiology to act as a “3rd party Representative” on your behalf and agree to its terms, conditions and policies
STEP 2. Submit Image Files
(i) Kindly share with us the images of your scan in DICOM format.
You can share the images of your scan by using any of the cloud services listed below:
a.) Google Drive
b.) Dropbox
c.) WeTransfer
Just visit any of the three links listed above, create a free account and upload the applicable Radiology Image file(s) along with original reports for review and reporting.
Once uploaded, please share the link to the files/folder with us at: targetradiology@gmail.com
(ii) In a separate email labelled “Supplementary Information”, upload any applicable supplementary Reports and imaging (i.e. Radiology, EKG, Blood etc.) as well as any photos or videos of your symptoms (i.e. tremors, facial spasms, discoloured hands or feet etc.) that may provide the Radiologists with a broad picture of what’s happening with you. This information is very helpful for the Radiologists when reviewing your case. Submit this supplementary information securely via Google Drive , Dropbox or WeTransfer and share to: targetradiology@gmail.com
(iii) Share your complete clinical/patient history with us on our Email ID along with your chief complaints/problem areas and any specific questions you might have for the radiologist(s)
STEP 3. Receive a Radiology Report from a certified Radiologist within 3-5 days from the date that images and payment were received (7 days in case the images and payment are received on a Friday or Public Holiday). Note that the Radiology Report(s) will be sent to the email address that was provided at Checkout. Have questions? All reasonable requests will be accepted.
≈
Obtaining Multiple Medical Opinions is the most effective way to decrease medical error rates.
Our radiologists have years of experience in their field and they can offer you an in-depth understanding of your medical issues.
≈
Please be advised, that we only take non-emergency cases for this service. The whole process can take 3-5 days. In case you have a medical emergency, please contact your local authorities!
