Use of MAVRIC-SL for metal artifact reduction in postoperative canine stifle MRI

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is a common cause of pelvic limb lameness in dogs. Surgical correction using metallic implants is commonly performed; however, using postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation is limited owing to susceptibility artifacts.

This study aimed to determine whether a multiacquisition variable-resonance image combination-selective (MAVRIC-SL) sequence, which reduces susceptibility artifacts, is useful for postoperative evaluation.

MRI was performed on four dogs that underwent CCLR correction using metallic implants. Imaging was performed with MAVRIC-SL and two-dimensional fast spin echo (2D-FSE) sequences, including proton density (PD), PD fat-suppressed (F/S), and T2-weighted F/S. The artifact area for each sequence was quantitatively analyzed. A four-level qualitative image analysis was performed to assess image artifacts, cartilage delineation, and visualization of the cranial cruciate ligament and bone.

The artifact area was significantly reduced with MAVRIC-SL than with 2D-FSE, regardless of the metal materials used. In addition, the amount of artifact, cartilage delineation, and visualization of the bone were significantly improved with MAVRIC-SL compared with 2D-FSE.

In this preliminary study, the MAVRIC-SL sequence improves postoperative MRI evaluation by reducing susceptibility artifacts in dogs with CCLR treated with metallic implants.