Magnetic resonance imaging of the canine brain at 7 T.
The purpose of this study was to describe relevant canine brain structures as seen on T2-weighted images following magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 7 T and to compare the results with imaging at 1.5 T. Imaging was performed on five healthy laboratory beagle dogs using 1.5 and 7 T clinical scanners. At 1.5 T, spin echo images were acquired, while gradient echo images were acquired at 3 T. Image quality and conspicuity of anatomic structures were evaluated qualitatively by direct comparison of the images obtained from the two different magnetic fields. The signal-to-nose ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated and compared between 1.5 and 7 T. The T2-weighted images at 7 T provided good spatial and contrast resolution for the identification of clinically relevant brain anatomy; these images provided better delineation and conspicuity of the brain stem and cerebellar structures, which were difficult to unequivocally identify at 1.5 T. However, frontal and parietal lobe and the trigeminal nerve were difficult to identify at 7 T due to susceptibility artifact. The SNR and CNR of the images at 7 T were significantly increased up to 318% and 715% compared with the 1.5 T images. If some disadvantages of 7 T imaging, such as susceptibility artifacts, technical difficulties, and high cost, can be improved, 7 T clinical MR imaging could provide a good experimental and diagnostic tool for the evaluation of canine brain disorders.
Kang
Byeong-Teck
BT
BK21 Program of Basic & Diagnostic Veterinary Specialist Program for Animal Diseases and Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea.
Ko
Ki-Jin
KJ
Jang
Dong-Pyo
DP
Han
Jae-Yong
JY
Lim
Chae-Young
CY
Park
Chul
C
Yoo
Jong-Hyun
JH
Kim
Ju-Won
JW
Jung
Dong-In
DI
Kim
Young-Bo
YB
Woo
Eung-Je
EJ
Cho
Zang-Hee
ZH
Park
Hee-Myung
HM
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*