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Microscopic magnetic resonance in congenital diaphragmatic hernia and associated malformations in rats
Montserrat Bret1, Ana Lourdes Luis, Emilio Cuesta
1Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Background/Aim:
The research on congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is often carried out on the nitrofen fetal rat model in which most investigations involve microdissections and fastidious assessment of serial sections of different anatomic areas. Current microscopic magnetic resonance (MMR) equipment allows detailed anatomic studies of alive, fresh or fixed fetuses. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate that CDH itself and most of the associated malformations are adequately imaged and measured by MMR.
Materials And Methods:
Fetuses from pregnant rats treated with either i.g. vehicle (control, n = 10) or 100 mg nitrofen (only those with CDH, n = 18) on E9.5 were recovered on E21 (term = E22) and total body was scanned by MMR under sedation in a 7 T MRI system (Bruker Medical, Ettlingen, Germany). CDH was detected with a coronal multislice fast spin echo sequence with a long repetition time and short effective echo time. Oblique MPR and 3D reconstructions were used. All studies were processed with attention to the hernia and its contents and the structure of the tracheobronchial tree and the lung, the heart and great vessels, the thymus and cervico-thoracic vertebrae. The findings in both groups were compared.
Results:
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, lung hypoplasia and parenchymal features were clearly depicted. Tracheal ring anomalies were also demonstrated. The thymus was significantly smaller in CDH pups (2.9 x 1 x 2.4 mm) than in controls (4 x 1.3 x 2.8 mm) (p < 0.01). MRI was particularly performant for imaging cardiovascular anomalies: 4 double aortic arches, 3 Fallots, 3 right aortic arches, 3 ventricular septal defects and 1 aberrant subclavian artery.
Conclusions:
Microscopic magnetic resonance involves refined and expensive equipment but it provides a powerful research tool for the study of CDH and other malformations in rat fetuses. Further work on this area is warranted.
Insights
Microscopic magnetic resonance (MMR) effectively images congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and associated fetal rat malformations. This advanced imaging technique offers a powerful alternative to traditional microdissection for studying CDH.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Medical imaging
- Teratology
Background:
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) research often relies on invasive microdissection of fetal rat models.
- Microscopic magnetic resonance (MMR) offers advanced, non-invasive imaging capabilities for detailed fetal anatomy.
- Current methods for assessing CDH and associated anomalies in fetal models are labor-intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of microscopic magnetic resonance (MMR) in imaging congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in rat fetuses.
- To demonstrate MMR's capability in visualizing and measuring CDH and related malformations.
- To assess MMR's utility as a research tool for fetal anomaly studies.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant rats were administered nitrofen (CDH model) or vehicle (control) on embryonic day 9.5.
- Fetal rat specimens (E21) underwent total body scanning using a 7 Tesla (T) microscopic magnetic resonance (MMR) system.
- Coronal multislice fast spin echo sequences, oblique multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), and 3D reconstructions were employed for detailed analysis.
Main Results:
- MMR clearly depicted congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), lung hypoplasia, and parenchymal abnormalities.
- Tracheal ring anomalies and significantly smaller thymus size in CDH fetuses were identified.
- MMR excelled in visualizing cardiovascular anomalies, including double aortic arches and ventricular septal defects.
Conclusions:
- Microscopic magnetic resonance (MMR) is a powerful, albeit sophisticated, research tool for studying congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and associated malformations in rat fetuses.
- MMR provides detailed anatomical insights, surpassing limitations of traditional microdissection techniques.
- Further research utilizing MMR for fetal anomaly investigation is recommended.
