> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.navnx.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Imaging Referral

> Generate pre-filled MRI or CT referral forms for your radiologist directly from case data.

## Imaging Referral

NavNX can generate a pre-filled imaging referral form that you can send to your radiologist. The referral includes patient details, clinical indication, and the required acquisition protocol — ensuring the radiologist captures the right scan for 3D surgical planning.

## Generating a Referral

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the case detail page">
    Navigate to the case you want to order imaging for.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Imaging referral">
    In the **DICOM imaging** card, click the **Imaging referral...** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and edit">
    A modal opens with pre-filled fields:

    * **Modality** — MRI (default) or CT
    * **Urgency** — Routine, Semi-urgent, or Urgent
    * **Patient details** — name, DOB, gender, MRN (from patient record)
    * **Surgeon details** — name, credentials, practice, phone (from your profile)
    * **Examination** — body region (auto-detected from procedure type), laterality, planned surgery date
    * **Clinical indication** — auto-generated from the procedure type and side
    * **Additional notes** — any special instructions for the radiologist
    * **Acquisition protocol** — automatically included based on selected modality

    All fields are editable before download.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download PDF">
    Click **Download PDF**. The referral is generated server-side and downloaded directly to your computer. Send it to your radiology clinic via email, fax, or print.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## MRI Acquisition Protocol

When MRI is selected as the modality, the referral automatically includes the NavNX MRI acquisition protocol requirements:

* **Sequence:** 3D DESS (Dual Echo Steady State) preferred
* **Slice thickness:** ≤ 1.0 mm (0.5–0.8 mm ideal)
* **In-plane resolution:** ≤ 0.5 mm
* **Slices:** ≥ 100 covering the entire joint
* **Field strength:** 3T preferred, 1.5T acceptable

A standalone MRI protocol PDF is also available from the DICOM imaging card or from **Settings > Resources**.

<Info>
  NavNX's AI bone segmentation is validated on **3D DESS** MRI at 0.3–0.8 mm isotropic resolution. Using the correct acquisition protocol is essential for clinical-quality 3D bone models.
</Info>

## CT Scans

For CT referrals, standard musculoskeletal CT protocols with thin-slice acquisition (≤ 1.0 mm) and bone algorithm reconstruction are sufficient. No special protocol document is required for CT.

<Tip>
  The clinical indication is auto-generated from the procedure type and side — for example, "Pre-operative planning imaging for ACL Reconstruction, left knee." Edit it to add specific clinical details.
</Tip>