title: TRUNCATION ARTIFACT IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES OF THE CANINE SPINAL CORD.
abstract: The truncation artifact in magnetic resonance (MR) images is a line of abnormal signal intensity that occurs parallel to an interface between tissues of markedly different signal intensity. In order to demonstrate the truncation artifact in sagittal images of the canine spinal cord and the effect of changing spatial resolution, we conducted an experimental in vitro study. A section of fixed canine spinal cord was imaged using a 1.5T magnet. Spatial resolution was increased by increasing the acquisition matrix and reconstruction matrix, producing series of T2-weighted (T2w) images with the following pixel sizes: A, 1.6 (vertical) × 2.2 mm2(horizontal); B, 1.2 × 1.7 mm2; C, 0.8 × 1.1 mm2; D, 0.4 × 0. 6 mm2. Plots of mean pixel value across the cord showed variations in signal intensity compatible with truncation artifact, which appeared as a single, wide central hyperintense zone in low-resolution images and as multiple narrower zones in high spatial resolution images. Even in images obtained using the highest spatial resolution available for the MR system, the edge of the spinal cord was not accurately defined and the central canal was not visible. The experiment was repeated using an unfixed spinal cord specimen with focal compression applied to mimic a pathologic lesion. Slight hyperintensity was observed within the spinal cord at the site of compression although the cord was normal histologically. Results of this study suggest that caution should be applied when interpreting hyperintensity affecting the spinal cord in T2w sagittal images of clinical patients because of the possibility that the abnormal signal could represent a truncation artifact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK. gregoritommaso@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gregori
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Simon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Priestnall
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lamb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D002102:Cadaver; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: MRI; dog; spinal cord; truncation artifact