title: Correlation of brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging of spontaneously lead poisoned bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) with histological lesions: A pilot study.
abstract: Six bald eagles with severe, acute lead poisoning based on blood lead values were analyzed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain and histopathology. The aims of the study were to use MRI to locate brain lesions and correlate the changes in MRI signal with the histological character of the lesions at necropsy. All of the bald eagles presented with neurologic and non-neurologic signs suggestive of severe lead poisoning and had blood lead levels in excess of 1.0 ppm. Areas of change in image intensity in the brainstem, midbrain and cerebellum were detected in the MRI scans. Histopathology confirmed the presence of all suspected lesions. The character of the lesions suggested vascular damage as the primary insult. MRI was useful for detecting lesions and defining their three-dimensional distribution and extent. Future studies are needed to evaluate the utility of MRI for detection of lesions in less severely lead poisoned eagles and determining prognosis for treatment.
authors.affiliation: The Raptor Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States.
authors.forename: Olga Nicolas
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: de Francisco
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feeney
authors.affiliation: Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States.
authors.forename: Anibal G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Armién
authors.affiliation: Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States.
authors.forename: Arno
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wuenschmann
authors.affiliation: The Raptor Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States. Electronic address: redig001@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Patrick T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Redig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D020307:Eagles / Q000378:metabolism*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: Brain; Eagle; Intoxication; Lead; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); Pathology