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Magnetic resonance imaging of experimental tracheal transplantation
R Hermans1, P R Delaere, Z Liu
1Department of Radiology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
Rationale And Objectives:
We evaluated the feasibility of using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for in vivo monitoring of tracheal transplants in rabbits.
Methods:
Plain and gadolinium-enhanced, high-resolution MR images were obtained from six rabbits 4 weeks to 6 months after an orthotopic tracheal transplantation (after heterotopic revascularization). The animals were sacrificed after the MR examination, and comparisons were made among the MR images, macroscopic observations, and histologic sections.
Results:
All transplants were clearly identifiable on the MR images; they produced slight-to-moderate narrowing of the airway diameter. Enhancement of the transplant tissues was clearly present. There was close correspondence between the MR morphology and the macroscopic and histologic sections.
Conclusion:
MR imaging can be used to monitor in vivo tracheal transplantation after heterotopic revascularization.