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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 28:48-53, January 2007
© 2007 American Society of Neuroradiology

SPINE

High-Resolution Vascular Imaging of the Rat Spine Using Liposomal Blood Pool MR Agent

K.B. Ghaghada^a,b, K.H.J. Bockhorst^c, S. Mukundan, Jr^d,e, A.V. Annapragada^b and P.A. Narayana^c

^a Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Houston, Tex
^b School of Health Information Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Tex
^c Department of Radiology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Tex
^d Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, NC
^e Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, NC

Address correspondence to Ananth V. Annapragada, PhD, 7000 Fannin St, Suite 600, Houston, TX 77030; e-mail: ananth.annapragada{at}uth.tmc.edu

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High-resolution, vascular MR imaging of the spine region in small animals poses several challenges. The small anatomic features, extravascular diffusion, and low signal-to-noise ratio limit the use of conventional contrast agents. We hypothesize that a long-circulating, intravascular liposomal-encapsulated MR contrast agent (liposomal-Gd) would facilitate visualization of small anatomic features of the perispinal vasculature not visible with conventional contrast agent (gadolinium-diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid [Gd-DTPA]).

METHODS: In this study, high-resolution MR angiography of the spine region was performed in a rat model using a liposomal-Gd, which is known to remain within the blood pool for an extended period. The imaging characteristics of this agent were compared with those of a conventional contrast agent, Gd-DTPA.

RESULTS: The liposomal-Gd enabled acquisition of high quality angiograms with high signal-to-noise ratio. Several important vascular features, such as radicular arteries, posterior spinal vein, and epidural venous plexus were visualized in the angiograms obtained with the liposomal agent. The MR angiograms obtained with conventional Gd-DTPA did not demonstrate these vessels clearly because of marked extravascular soft-tissue enhancement that obscured the vasculature.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the potential benefit of long-circulating liposomal-Gd as a MR contrast agent for high-resolution vascular imaging applications.

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