title: Seven-Tesla micro-MRI in early detection of acute arterial ischaemia: evolution of findings in an in vivo rat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a life-threatening vascular emergency with a high mortality rate. Early diagnosis is the key to reducing its mortality rate and improving the quality of life. Although computed tomography (CT) is still the gold standard for acute intestinal disorders, over the last few years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a useful alternative tool. An animal model of AMI was developed in order to study the effectiveness of MRI in early detection of this condition and to observe lesion evolution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=15): in the first group, after laparotomy, the animals underwent ligation of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), followed by macroscopic monitoring and histological evaluation; in the second, ischaemia was induced by squeezing a loop around the SMA 3 days before evaluation with 7-T micro-MRI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Macroscopically, a reflex spastic ileus followed by reflex hypotonic ileus and colour changes in some of the loops were detected. MRI evidenced luminal dilatation with air-fluid levels, free intraperitoneal fluid and bowelwall oedema. Histological analysis confirmed ischaemia and earlier damage involving the central portion of the ileum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This model shows the correct sequence of events during arterial AMI and demonstrates that MRI can be recommended for early diagnosis of these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, P.za Miraglia 2, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berritto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Somma
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Landi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavaliere
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fulciniti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cappabianca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotondo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grassi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley