title: Magnetic resonance microscopy of embryos.
abstract: We demonstrate that magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy provides a mechanism to investigate normal and abnormal developmental anatomy in a non-destructive and distortion-free manner. Techniques for the fixation, embedding, perfusion and image acquisition of embryos between 3 and 30 mm crown rump length are described. We describe the perfusion of a contrast agent to enhance images of the developing embryonic vasculature. Data are acquired as three-dimensional isotropic arrays which permit images to be reformatted retrospectively in any plane. The data are available for archiving, distributing and for post-acquisition manipulations. MR microscopy is a fast technique for producing three-dimensional reconstructions and is free from registration and sectioning artifacts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Linney
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Huff
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000716:Anatomy, Artistic; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008488:Medical Illustration; D051379:Mice / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D008853:Microscopy
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media