High field magnetic resonance imaging is comparable with gross anatomy for description of the normal appearance of soft tissues in the equine stifle

Abstract

High field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used for horses with suspected stifle disease, however there is limited available information on normal imaging anatomy and potential incidental findings. The aim of this prospective, anatomic study was to develop an optimized high field MRI protocol for evaluation of the equine stifle and provide detailed descriptions of the normal MRI appearance of the stifle soft tissues, using ultrasound and gross pathological examination as comparison tests. Nine cadaver limbs were acquired from clinically normal horses. Stifles were evaluated ultrasonographically and then by an extensive 1.5 T MRI protocol. Subsequently, all stifles were evaluated for gross pathologic change. Findings were compared between gross evaluation and MRI imaging and described. No soft tissue structure abnormalities were identified on any evaluation. Specific descriptive findings of the meniscotibial, meniscofemoral, collateral, patellar and cruciate ligaments, and the menisci were reported. The high field MRI protocol described in this study provided high spatial and contrast resolution of the soft tissue structures, and this in turn allowed visualization of detailed structural characteristics, such as striations and variations in signal intensity. Findings supported the use of high field MRI as a modality for the evaluation of the soft tissues of the equine stifle. As clinical availability of this modality increases in the future, authors anticipate that new stifle diseases will be detected that have not previously been identified with other imaging modalities.

High-frequency ultrasound, computed tomography and computed tomography arthrography of the cranial cruciate ligament, menisci and cranial meniscotibial ligaments in 10 radiographically normal canine cadaver stifles

“…Inclusion criteria were a minimum weight of 15 kg, the availability of information on the age, sex and breed and the absence of radiographic abnormalities (see further). The sample size was determined based on similar published research [52, 53]. The hind limbs were disarticulated in the coxofemoral joint within the first 24 h post mortem, with the cadavers stored at 7 °C and all procedures performed within 60 h post mortem.…”

Persistent Regulation of Tumor Hypoxia Microenvironment via a Bioinspired Pt‐Based Oxygen Nanogenerator for Multimodal Imaging‐Guided Synergistic Phototherapy

“…Since MRI can supply clear information of the soft tissue structure without ionizing radiation, [ 45 ] we also investigated the MRI performance of ICG‐PtMGs@HGd using gadopentetic acid (Gd‐DTPA), [ 31,46 ] a clinically used MRI contrast agent, as the control. As expected, the in vitro T 1 ‐weight MR images showed that the MRI signals from both ICG‐PtMGs@HGd and Gd‐DTPA significantly increased with Gd concentration, and a linear correlation was found between the longitudinal relaxation rate (1/ T 1 ) of water protons and the concentration of Gd (III) (Figure S4a,b, Supporting Information), confirming the effective MRI performance of Gd (III).…”

Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal dromedary camel tarsus

“…The used sequences were extensive in every plane so that an optimal protocol could be determined. Under clinical Magnetic resonance imaging is frequently used in horses owing to its ability to produce high-contrast and anatomically detailed tomographic images [9,22]. The use of MRI in camels is still in its infancy and was limited to cadaveric studies.…”

“…By knowing the variation in MRI images in the normal camel, it would be possible to understand the importance of signal intensity changes in the clinical patients. Additionally, description of the high field MRI appearance of the tarsal joint structures can also be useful in the interpretation of radiographs, ultrasound, and computed tomography of the camel tarsus [22].…”

“…The study was a prospective cadaveric study. A sample size of 12 was determined based on this being a novel study concept, as this value represents the first significant increase in power in a sample size for a study where no previous datasets were available as a reference on which to base calculations [22].…”