Imaging living mice using a 1-T compact MRI system.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of imaging living mice with a 1-T compact MRI system and investigate appropriate imaging techniques for use in routine animal experiments.


METHODS
An MRI system consisting of a 1-T permanent magnet and compact console was used. Images of the entire trunks of living mice were obtained on the system using a T1-weighted three-dimensional fast low-angle shot (3D FLASH) sequence, and image quality was evaluated in relation to imaging techniques.


RESULTS
Restraint of respiratory motion improved the image quality. Decreasing the slice thickness reduced artificial inhomogeneity in signal intensity (SI). Substantial effects of TR and FA on image quality were also demonstrated. With the determined techniques, images covering the entire trunk with a voxel size of 0.26x0.26x0.52 mm were acquired in an acquisition time of five minutes 28 seconds and a total experiment time of <20 minutes, and various organs and subcutaneous tumors were clearly visualized.


CONCLUSIONS
The compact MRI system provides images of living mice with acceptable quality in a reasonable time. Considering its convenience, it appears to be suitable for use in routine mouse experiments.
Inoue
Yusuke
Y
Department of Radiology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. inoueys-tky@umin.ac.jp
Nomura
Yukihiro
Y
Haishi
Tomoyuki
T
Yoshikawa
Kohki
K
Seki
Takahiro
T
Tsukiyama-Kohara
Kyoko
K
Kai
Chieko
C
Okubo
Toshiyuki
T
Ohtomo
Kuni
K
D000818:Animals; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging