A comparison of MR imaging of a mouse model of glioma at 0.2 T and 9.4 T

Both 0.2T and 9.4T MRI systems were used to image a mouse model of glioma. RF coils were designed for both fields. A spin-echo, multi-echo pulse sequence was used to determine T-2 relaxation times of both brain and tumor tissues. Contrast-to-noise ratio was calculated based on the selected echo time. The results showed that 0.2T is suitable for mouse model imaging, however total scan time must be long to achieve high enough SNR. T-2 relaxation times of the tumor and brain tissues can be measured at 0.2T and are 2.1 and 1.8 times respectively longer at 0.2 T than at 9.4T. Contrast to noise ratio for tumor and brain was better at high field than at the low field. We concluded that 0.2 T may be used to study mouse model of glioma using spin echo pulse sequence, yet the total scan time is long (about 40 min), resolution is lower (similar to 250 mu m x 250 mu m) and slice thickness (3 mm) must be large enough to obtain sufficient SNR. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.