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[Intravascular MR imaging: the first in-vivo experiences in an animal arteriosclerosis model]
G G Zimmermann1, H H Quick, P R Hilfiker
1Department Medizinische Radiologie, Universitätsspital Zürich, Schweiz.
Purpose:
To evaluate intravascular MR imaging in normal New Zealand rabbits and hereditary hyperlipidaemic Watanabe rabbits (WHHL) with histological correlation.
Material And Methods:
The suprarenal abdominal aortas of two normal and two WHHL rabbits were examined by conventional angiography, high resolution MRT with a surface coil and intravascular MRT in a 1.5 T system. The intravascular reception coil consisted of a copper wire loop built into the balloon of an angioplasty catheter. The findings were correlated with histological examinations.
Results:
Excellent spin echo images with a resolution of 78 x 156 microns were obtained in less than 4 minutes. The arteriosclerotic changes in the vessels of the WHHL rabbits could not be recognised angiographically. High resolution MRT with surface coils showed mural thickening but a detailed demonstration of arteriosclerotic lesions was possible only by means of high resolution intravascular imaging. There was good histological correlation.
Conclusion:
Arteriosclerotic lesions can be demonstrated in vivo by high resolution intravascular imaging.