In vivo animal functional MRI: improved image quality with a body-adapted mold.
OBJECTIVE
To reduce functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) susceptibility distortion at the air/tissue interphase in animal experiments.


METHODS
We investigated the applicability of a body-adaptable flexible mold consisting of a fast-setting alginate. This technique was implemented for subcutaneous growing tumors in rats and for the brains of monkeys.


RESULTS
The T(2)*-weighted gradient-echo, echo-planar imaging (GE-EPI) data obtained with the body-adapted mold showed a reduction of susceptibility artifacts and improved image quality. With both rat tumor and monkey brain, an optimized match with the anatomical T(1) images was possible.


CONCLUSIONS
The present mold methodology is a rapid, easy, and inexpensive way to reduce magnetic susceptibility during animal GE-EPI.
Department of Experimental Radiobiology/LEO, Catholic University of Leuven (KUL), University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. willy.landuyt@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Willy
W
Landuyt
Stefan
S
Sunaert
Davide
D
Farina
Martijn
M
Meijerink
Eric
E
Béatse
Paul
P
Van Hecke
Robert
R
Hermans
Guy
G
Marchal
Philippe
P
Lambin
Hilde
H
Bosmans
D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D001931:Brain Mapping; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D051381:Rats; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000473:pathology