title: Magnetic resonance imaging of experimental tracheal transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the feasibility of using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for in vivo monitoring of tracheal transplants in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plain and gadolinium-enhanced, high-resolution MR images were obtained from six rabbits 4 weeks to 6 months after an orthotopic tracheal transplantation (after heterotopic revascularization). The animals were sacrificed after the MR examination, and comparisons were made among the MR images, macroscopic observations, and histologic sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All transplants were clearly identifiable on the MR images; they produced slight-to-moderate narrowing of the airway diameter. Enhancement of the transplant tissues was clearly present. There was close correspondence between the MR morphology and the macroscopic and histologic sections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR imaging can be used to monitor in vivo tracheal transplantation after heterotopic revascularization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hermans
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Delaere
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bosmans
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baert
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous