Use of magnetic resonance imaging for noninvasive characterization and follow-up of an experimental injury to normal mouse muscles.
A magnetic resonance imaging protocol was tested in a cardiotoxin-induced myonecrosis of hindlimb muscles of three normal mice to assess the usefulness of data provided by longitudinal follow-up of a few individuals. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were performed sequentially at 4 T between days 1 and 11 post-injury. Axial T1-weighted images after injection of a paramagnetic contrast agent were used to determine the volume of lesions from regions of increased signal intensity. T2 measurements were performed from a single-slice ten-echo acquisition centered upon the largest section of lesion. Early after injury, a very large T2 increase was observed. As recovery proceeded, T2 values progressively decreased toward normal values. Similarly, the volumes of lesions decreased to virtually zero by days 10-11. The evolution of these indices followed the same time scheme observed in histological studies. The use of a volume probe allowed accurate measurement of T2 values, and the acquisition of volumetric data. Such magnetic resonance imaging follow-up should help gather valuable information using few animals.
Wishnia
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A
Chemistry Department, State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Alameddine
H
H
Tardif de Géry
S
S
Leroy-Willig
A
A
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009336:Necrosis; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*