MRI at UTCVMThe First Months

Presentation by:Silke Hecht, Dr. med. vet., DACVR, DECVDIAssistant Professor Radiology

Delivery and Hook-Up 04-04-08

MRI Setup

MRI Setup

MRI Setup

MRI Setup

Now we needed volunteers to test the system and establish imaging parameters…

The First “Volunteer”

The First “Volunteer”

Normal Thoracolumbar Spine

The First Clinical Patient

7-year-old MC Weimaraner One year long history of bilateral

hind limb weakness that had progressively worsened

Recent onset seizures Plan: MRI brain

+/- MRI lumbar spine

Neurologists eagerly awaiting results of the first scan

The First Clinical Patient

Intracranial contrast-enhancing massPresumptive diagnosis: Cystic meningioma

The First Clinical Patient

Other Patients

1-year-old M Mastiff Wobbly in hind limbs since birth,

progressive Hind limb paresis except when

on prednisone Plan: MRI thoracolumbar spine

T2

FLAIR

Diagnosis: Arachnoid cyst T 12/13Good recovery after surgery

7-year old Shi Tsu with neck painDiagnosis: Intervertebral disc extrusion C3/4; Incidental finding of a brain cyst (“quadrigeminal cistern cyst”)Good recovery after surgery

More Neurology Patients

The First Orthopedic Patient

Partial rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament, degenerative joint disease, subchondral sclerosis and cyst

The First Oncology Patient

9-year old American Bulldog; Known MCT on backMRI performed to evaluate marginsAdditional smaller mass found unexpectedly

Arguably the cutest patient… Approximately 4 month old Black

Bear (8 lb) Brought in from Appalachian

Bear Center Blindness, running in circles Plan: MRI brain

Diagnosis: Congenital dilation of lateral ventricles (Hydrocephalus)

More Exotics – From Large…

2-year old F TigerAtaxiaNormal brain MRI

More Exotics – … to small

Rabbit, few months old1 month history of seizuresNormal limited brain MRI

Initial Large Animal Experience 4 month old Potbellied Pig Fever (105°F) and rear leg

weakness Plan: MRI lumbar spine

Imaging Diagnosis: Diffusely contrast enhancing areas in epaxial muscles -> Muscle biopsy: Myofiber necrosis and degeneration with secondary inflammation and regenerationDdx: nutritional (white muscle disease), toxic, neurogenic, infectious or ischemic

STAY TUNED!