In vivo mouse spinal cord imaging using echo-planar imaging at 11.75 T.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of mouse spinal cord MR imaging using echo-planar imaging (EPI).


METHODS
Optimized multi-shot spin-echo-EPI sequences were compared to conventional spin-echo (c-SE) at 11.75 T and used for high-spatially resolved acquisitions and relaxation-time measurements.


RESULTS
Good quality images were obtained, with clear delineation of gray and white matter. Acquisition-time gain factor was up to 6 (vs. c-SE) and resolution up to 74 x 94 microm2 was achieved. T1 and T2 relaxation times were reliably measured.


CONCLUSIONS
High-temporally and spatially resolved mouse spinal cord EPI imaging is feasible. This technique should greatly benefit to long acquisition-time experiments (diffusion imaging) and imaging of rapidly-evolving pathologies.
Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale (CRMBM), UMR CNRS, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France. virginie.callot@medecine.univ-mrs.fr
Virginie
V
Callot
Guillaume
G
Duhamel
Patrick J
PJ
Cozzone
D000818:Animals; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology*