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.
Callot
Virginie
V
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
Duhamel
Guillaume
G
Cozzone
Patrick J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology*