In vivo mouse spinal cord imaging using echo-planar imaging at 11.75 T

Abstract

Object: To evaluate the feasibility of mouse spinal cord MR imaging using echo-planar imaging (EPI). Materials and methods: Optimized multi-shot spin-echo-EPI sequences were compared to conventional spin-echo (c-SE) at 11.75 T and used for high-spatially resolved acquisitions and relaxation-time measurements. Results: Good quality images were obtained, with clear delineation of gray and white matter. Acquisition-time gain factor was up to 6 (vs. c-SE) and resolution up to 74 × 94 μm2 was achieved. T1 and T2 relaxation times were reliably measured. Conclusion: High-temporally and spatially resolved mouse spinal cord EPI imaging is feasible. This technique should greatly benefit to long acquisition-time experiments (diffusion imaging) and imaging of rapidly-evolving pathologies. © 2007 ESMRMB.