Abstract
Background Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) represents a clinical reference standard for the in vivo assessment of the vasculature. In this study, the potential of non-contrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced angiography of the head/neck vasculature in mice on a clinical MR imaging system was tested. Methods All in vivo magnetic resonance imaging was performed with a 3T clinical system (Siemens). Non-contrast-enhanced (time-of-flight, TOF) and contrast-enhanced angiography (gadofosveset-trisodium, GdT) were performed in C57BL/6J mouse strain. Lumen-to-muscle ratios (LMRs) and area measurements were assessed. Histology was performed as reference standard of all relevant vascular structures. Results A close correlation between TOF (R 2 = 0.79; p < 0.05) and contrast-enhanced (GdT) angiography (R 2 = 0.92; p < 0.05) with histological area measurements was found. LMRs were comparable between both sequences. Regarding interobserver reproducibility, contrast-enhanced (GdT) angiography yielded a smaller 95% confidence interval and a closer interreader correlation compared to non-contrast-enhanced (TOF) measurements (−0.73–0.89; R 2 = 0.81 vs. −0.55–0.56; R 2 = 0.94). Conclusion This study demonstrates that non-contrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced angiographies of the head/neck vasculature of small animals can reliably performed on a clinical 3T MR scanner. Contrast-enhanced angiography enables the visualization of vascular structures with higher intravascular contrast and higher reproducibility.
Highlights
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) represents a clinical reference standard for the in vivo assessment of the vasculature
All procedures were approved by the guidelines and regulations of the Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) and the local Guidelines and Provisions for Implementation of the Animal Welfare Act
Luminal area measurements for contrast-enhanced MR angiography following the administration of gadofosveset trisodium were as follows: carotid artery (0.31 ± 0.07 mm2), brachiocephalic artery (0.78 ± 0.26 mm2), and aorta (2.25 ± 0.61 mm2)
Summary
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) represents a clinical reference standard for the in vivo assessment of the vasculature. The potential of non-contrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced angiography of the head/neck vasculature in mice on a clinical MR imaging system was tested. Non-contrast-enhanced (time-of- ight, TOF) and contrast-enhanced angiography (gadofosveset-trisodium, GdT) were performed in C57BL/6J mouse strain. A close correlation between TOF (R2 0.79; p < 0.05) and contrast-enhanced (GdT) angiography (R2 0.92; p < 0.05) with histological area measurements was found. Contrast-enhanced (GdT) angiography yielded a smaller 95% con dence interval and a closer interreader correlation compared to non-contrast-enhanced (TOF) measurements (−0.73–0.89; R2 0.81 vs −0.55–0.56; R2 0.94). Is study demonstrates that non-contrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced angiographies of the head/neck vasculature of small animals can reliably performed on a clinical 3T MR scanner. Contrast-enhanced angiography enables the visualization of vascular structures with higher intravascular contrast and higher reproducibility
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