Magnetic resonance imaging of bowel ischemia induced by ligation of superior mesenteric artery and vein in a cat model.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for detecting bowel ischemia with strangulation compared with histopathologic findings in an experimental cat model.


METHODS
Fourteen cats were assigned to the normal control group (n = 3), acute ischemic group (induced by ligation of superior mesenteric vessels for 3 hours, n = 7), and subacute ischemic group (induced by ligation of superior mesenteric vessels for 10 hours, n = 4). Using a 4.7-T MR scanner, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes after bolus injection of contrast media. T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained from the extracted bowel wall and compared with histopathologic findings.


RESULTS
On contrast-enhanced MR images, the target-like bowel wall layers were clearly demonstrated and the submucosal layer showed the most prominent enhancement. At 10 minutes after administration of contrast media, the subacute ischemic group showed significantly lower enhancement of the submucosal layer than the normal or acute ischemic group (P <0.05). On T1-weighted images, there were not significant differences between the normal and ischemic bowel groups (P >0.05). On T2-weighted images, the signal intensity of all layers of acute ischemic bowel wall was significantly higher than that of the normal control or subacute ischemic group (P <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Delayed contrast-enhanced MR images and T2-weighted images were helpful for detecting subacute and acute bowel ischemia with strangulation, respectively.
Kim
Mi Young
MY
Department of Radiology, Inha University College of Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Incheon City, Korea. mykim@inha.ac.kr
Suh
Chang Hae
CH
Kim
Sang Tae
ST
Lee
Jung Hee
JH
Kong
Kyungup
K
Lim
Tae-Hwan
TH
Suh
Jeong Soo
JS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003287:Contrast Media; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008026:Ligation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000150:complications*; D008642:Mesenteric Veins
D003287:Contrast Media