Combined Preclinical Magnetic Particle Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Initial Results in Mice

• Published in: RöFo : Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebende Verfahren Vol. 187; no. 5; p. 347
• Main Authors: Kaul, M G, Weber, O, Heinen, U, Reitmeier, A, Mummert, T, Jung, C, Raabe, N, Knopp, T, Ittrich, H, Adam, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-05-2015
• Subjects: Animals; Blood Flow Velocity - physiology; Dextrans; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Magnetic Resonance Angiography - instrumentation; Magnetic Resonance Angiography - methods; Magnetite Nanoparticles; Mice; Multimodal Imaging - methods; Pilot Projects; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Subtraction Technique; Vena Cava, Inferior - anatomy & histology; Vena Cava, Inferior - physiology; Workflow
• ISSN: 1438-9010
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1399344

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a new radiologic imaging modality. For the first time, a commercial preclinical scanner is installed. The goal of this study was to establish a workflow between MPI and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners for a complete in vivo examination of a mouse and to generate the first co-registered in vivo MR-MP images.
The in vivo examination of five mice were performed on a preclinical MPI scanner and a 7 Tesla preclinical MRI system. MRI measurements were used for anatomical referencing and validation of the injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles during a dynamic MPI scan. We extracted MPI data of the injection phase and co-registered it with MRI data.
A workflow process for a combined in vivo MRI and MPI examination was established. A successful injection of ferucarbotran was proven in MPI and MRI. MR-MPI co-registration allocated the SPIOs in the inferior vena cava and the heart during and shortly after the injection.
The acquisition of preclinical MPI and MRI data is feasible and allows the combined analysis of MR-MPI information.