[Optimising MR image quality of the canine nose]

The aim of this study was to optimize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, which are already used for examinations of dog noses, to show more detail of the fine structures of the nose. Examinations were first carried out on phantoms. The resulting improved sequence parameters were further optimized on five clinically healthy animals. Images were made using nine optimized sequences on another five clinically healthy dogs, and the image quality was evaluated by three reviewers. Detail recognition and contour sharpness of the conchae and turbinates in the peripheral and central regions were evaluated as were image noise, contrast, subjective image quality, and diagnostic value. The best evaluation was given to a spin echo sequence. Second place went to a turbo spin echo sequence. Both sequences were proton density-weighted. The gradient echo sequences received the poorest evaluation and proved to be unsuitable for the anatomic portrayal of the nose. The TSE-sequence is more suitable to the clinical routine because of the significant shorter measure time compared to the SE-sequence. In case of suspected pathologic changes, a T2-weighted image sequence must also always be acquired, despite it being inappropriate to illustrate anatomic details.