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| 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Spectroscopy Division The newest imaging tool of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) is a state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla short bore magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner (General Electric Medical Systems Infinity LX 9.0). As part of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Center, its uses complement that of the small bore 2.3 Tesla Chemical Engineering MRI and the NMR capabilities within the Department of Chemistry. This instrument serves a pivotal role for investigations within the Animal Cancer Center of the VTH, including advanced methods for detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The MRI also completes a full spectrum of radiology services for clinical animal imaging studies. The MRI is an important device for a multitude of other examinations beyond cancer imaging, including neurological, cardiac, musculoskeletal and other soft tissue studies. The scanner is state-of-the-art 2002 technology capable of all routine diagnostic scanning sequences as well as rapid scanning techniques such as gradient echo, fast spin echo, echo planar and ultra-fast techniques. The system has a full suite of software enabling studies of blood vasculature and tissue perfusion, including time-of-flight and phase contrast angiography, and bolus tracking for blood vessel anatomy and patency. Perfusion and diffusion software makes it possible to measure regional blood volumes and perfusion kinetics, and rate and direction of water diffusion. Other scan features include cine and fluoro (real-time) imaging, and 3D surface rendering. The MRI can be used to image very small to very large subjects, through a variety of receiving coils. Receiving coils can also be custom-engineered to suit the needs of a particular research project. Bore size of the gantry is 60 cm, allowing fields-of-view up to 48 cm. Very small subjects, such as a mouse or rat, can also be imaged using small bore high-resolution receiver coils, with a minimal field of view of 10 mm, and slice thickness as low as 0.1 mm. An exceptional analytical feature on the MRI is the ability to perform multinuclear spectroscopy. This technique makes it possible to measure and identify biochemically important metabolites and chemical compounds, providing information about tissue function and composition. Advanced post-processing software allows the data to be analyzed by spectral quantitation, numeric data and ratios, or displayed as spectral and color parametric metabolite maps. Examples of the chemical species that can be measured using the hydrogen proton include fat and water ratios, N-acetyl residues (a marker of neural function), creatine (Cr), choline (a product of myelin breakdown), and other measures of tissue function and energetics such as glucose, glutamate, and lactate. Study of other nuclei allows assessment of energy status (via phosphorous metabolites such as ADP/ATP), tissue sodium, carbon content, metabolism of fluorinated drugs, sodium content, and measurement of lung volumes through hyperpolarized gas compounds. The location of the instrument within the VTH provides access to experts in animal care and handling, and animal housing facilities. Collaborations to develop investigational protocols and studies involving MRI and MR spectroscopy are welcomed. Please contact Dr. Susan Kraft of the radiology faculty for consultation regarding such opportunities.
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RMMR
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