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Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine

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01-06-2012 | Research Article

Possibilities and limitations for high resolution small animal MRI on a clinical whole-body 3T scanner

Authors: Karl-Heinz Herrmann, Silvio Schmidt, Alexandra Kretz, Ronny Haenold, Ines Krumbein, Martin Metzler, Christian Gaser, Otto W. Witte, Jürgen R. Reichenbach

Published in: Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine | Issue 3/2012

Abstract

Object

To investigate the potential of a clinical 3 T scanner to perform MRI of small rodents.

Materials and methods

Different dedicated small animal coils and several imaging sequences were evaluated to optimize image quality with respect to SNR, contrast and spatial resolution. As an application, optimal grey-white-matter contrast and resolution were investigated for rats. Furthermore, manganese-enhanced MRI was applied in mice with unilateral crush injury of the optic nerve to investigate coil performance on topographic mapping of the visual projection.

Results

Differences in SNR and CNR up to factor 3 and more were observed between the investigated coils. The best grey-white matter contrast was achieved with a high resolution 3D T ₂-weighted TSE (SPACE) sequence. Delineation of the retino-tectal projection and detection of defined visual pathway damage on the level of the optic nerve could be achieved by using a T ₁-weighted, 3D gradient echo sequence with isotropic resolution of (0.2 mm)³.

Conclusions

Experimental studies in small rodents requiring high spatial resolution can be performed by using a clinical 3 T scanner with appropriate dedicated coils.

Original paper states an SNR of 16, but the SNR calculation from magnitude images does not include the correction factor of Eq. 1.

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Title: Possibilities and limitations for high resolution small animal MRI on a clinical whole-body 3T scanner
Authors: Karl-Heinz Herrmann
Silvio Schmidt
Alexandra Kretz
Ronny Haenold
Ines Krumbein
Martin Metzler
Christian Gaser
Otto W. Witte
Jürgen R. Reichenbach
Publication date: 01-06-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0968-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1352-8661
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-011-0284-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Possibilities and limitations for high resolution small animal MRI on a clinical whole-body 3T scanner

Abstract

Object

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Object

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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