Diagnosis of cerebral ventriculomegaly in felines using 0.25 Tesla and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Twenty European shorthair cats with neurological disorders, aged 1–3 years and with body weights of 2.6–4.05 kg, were studied in low-field and high-field magnetic resonance imaging systems. Aims of the study were to evaluate the dilation of lateral ventricles in the examined population of cats with the use of quantitative analysis methods and to identify any differences in the results of low- and high-field magnetic resonance imaging. The average brain height was determined to 27.3 mm, and the average volume of the brain was 10 699.7 mm<sup>3</sup>. Moderately enlarged ventricles were observed in 16 symptomatic cats. Moderate unilateral enlargement was observed in one cat. Mild ventricular asymmetry was described in four animals. The average difference in ventricular height between measurements obtained in low- and high-field magnetic resonance imaging was 0.37 ± 0.16% and for ventricular volume it was 0.62 ± 0.29%. The magnetic resonance imaging scan did not reveal statistically significant differences in brain height or volume between healthy and cats with ventriculomegaly. The differences in the results of low- and high-field magnetic resonance imaging were not statistically significant. Described findings could facilitate the interpretation of magnetic resonance images in cats with ventriculomegaly or hydrocephalus.