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Published on: March 6, 2018
High spectral and spatial resolution MRI of age-related changes in murine prostate
Sean Foxley1, Xiaobing Fan, Sanaz A Jansen
1Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Abstract:
The purpose of this work was to evaluate high-resolution echo-planar spectroscopic MRI of normal and precancerous prostatic changes in a transgenic mouse line. Simian virus large T-antigen transgenic male mice (N = 7, age = 34 +/- 3.7 weeks) with prostatic hyperplasia and intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) were studied. High spectral and spatial resolution (HiSS) MRI of the water proton signal was compared to the free induction decay (FID) integral image and conventional gradient-echo and spin-echo imaging. Water peak-height images of the prostate produced from HiSS datasets showed improved contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) (P < 0.03), and greater morphological detail (P < 0.004) based on texture analysis. Despite the high spectral resolution of the HiSS datasets, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared favorably with that of the FID integral and conventional images. Lobular features in HiSS images of older mice were consistent with hyperplasia seen on histology. A partially deuterated water-filled catheter was inserted in the mouse rectum for susceptibility matching between the colon interior and exterior to minimize image artifacts. These preliminary results suggest that HiSS MRI provides detailed morphology of the murine prostate and can detect early changes associated with the development of cancer. HiSS MRI of patients may have similar advantages.
Insights
High-resolution echo-planar spectroscopic MRI (HiSS MRI) accurately images prostate changes in mice. This advanced MRI technique reveals detailed morphology and detects early cancer development, showing promise for human applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Prostate Cancer Research
Background:
- Prostate cancer detection often relies on invasive methods.
- Developing non-invasive imaging for early detection is crucial.
- Transgenic mouse models offer insights into prostate disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate high-resolution echo-planar spectroscopic MRI (HiSS MRI) for imaging normal and precancerous prostate changes.
- To compare HiSS MRI with conventional MRI techniques in a mouse model.
- To assess HiSS MRI's ability to detect early neoplastic changes in the prostate.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Simian virus large T-antigen transgenic male mice with prostatic hyperplasia and intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).
- Acquired high spectral and spatial resolution (HiSS) MRI data of the water proton signal.
- Compared HiSS MRI with free induction decay (FID) integral, gradient-echo, and spin-echo imaging.
- Employed texture analysis for morphological detail assessment and a deuterated water-filled rectal catheter to minimize artifacts.
Main Results:
- HiSS MRI demonstrated improved contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and morphological detail compared to conventional methods.
- Texture analysis revealed greater detail in HiSS water peak-height images (P < 0.004).
- HiSS MRI showed lobular features consistent with hyperplasia and detected early neoplastic changes.
Conclusions:
- HiSS MRI provides detailed prostate morphology in mice.
- The technique can detect early changes associated with prostate cancer development.
- HiSS MRI holds potential for improved prostate imaging in human patients.
