In vivo multiple-mouse imaging at 1.5 T.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Xu S, Gade T, Matei C, Zakian K, Alfieri A, Hu X, Holland E, Soghomonian S, Tjuvajev J, Ballon D, Koutcher J
Journal Magn Reson Med
Volume 49
Issue 3
Pagination 551-7
Date Published 03/01/2003
ISSN 0740-3194
Keywords Brain Neoplasms, Lung Neoplasms, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Models, Animal
Abstract A multiple-mouse solenoidal MR coil was developed for in vivo imaging of up to 13 mice simultaneously to screen for tumors on a 1.5 T clinical scanner. For the coil to be effective as a screening tool, it should permit acquisition of MRIs in which orthotopic tumors with diameters >2 mm are detectable in a reasonable period of time (<1 hr magnet time) and their sizes accurately measured. Using a spin echo sequence, we demonstrated that this coil provides sufficient sensitivity for moderately high resolution images (156-176 microm in plane-resolution, 1.5 mm slice thickness). This spatial resolution permitted detection of primary brain tumors in transgenic/knockout mice and orthotopic xenografts. Brain tumor size as measured by MRI was correlated with size measured by histopathology (P < 0.001). Metastatic tumors in the mouse lung were also successfully imaged in a screening setting. The multiple mouse coil is simple in construction and may be implemented without any significant modification to the hardware or software on a clinical scanner.
DOI 10.1002/mrm.10397
PubMed ID 12594759
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