The influence of temperature and age on the T1 relaxation time of the equine distal limb.
Abstract: The extent of fat suppression using short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging is variable between horses. Our aim was to determine if patient's age and/or hoof temperature have an influence on the T(1) relaxation time of bone marrow in the equine distal limb, thereby affecting the suppression of fat signal. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted on standing horses and cadaver samples using a low-field magnet (0.27 T). The hoof temperature was measured at the lateral side of the coronary band. A modified inversion recovery fast spin-echo (IR-FSE) sequence was used to measure the signal intensity for a range of inversion times (TIs) at six different regions of interest (ROI): (1) distal aspect of the proximal phalanx, (2) proximal aspect of the middle phalanx, (3) distal aspect of the middle phalanx, (4) navicular bone, (5) proximal aspect of the distal phalanx, and (6) distal aspect of the distal phalanx. The T(1) of the bone marrow in the equine distal limb was calculated from the results and was found to increase by 3.13 ± 0.08 (SE) ms/°C. There was no significant effect of age (2-16 years) but the T(1) values measured from the limbs of young (< 1 year) animals were considerably longer (32.6 ± 1.7 (SE) ms). Similar effects of temperature and age were found for all measured ROIs but there were significant differences in the mean values of T(1) , ranging from +7.7 (distal aspect of the distal phalanx) to -13.2 ms (distal aspect of the proximal phalanx).
© 2011 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.
Publication Date: 2012-01-17 PubMed ID: 22251141DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2011.01908.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study explores whether age and temperature of a horse’s hoof can affect the T1 relaxation time of bone marrow in the lower leg as it pertains to fat signal suppression when using short tau inversion recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging.
Research Methodology
- The experiment involved conducting magnetic resonance imaging on standing horses and cadaver samples with the help of a low-field magnet that had a strength of 0.27 Tesla.
- The temperature of a horse’s hoof was gauged at the lateral side of the coronary band (the region around the top of the horse hoof where the hair meets the hoof).
- The researchers employed a modified inversion recovery fast spin-echo sequence (a specific MRI sequence) to gauge the signal intensity across a range of inversion times (TIs) at six different regions of interest in the limb.
Findings
- Results indicated that the T1 relaxation time of bone marrow in the lower leg of a horse augmented by 3.13 ± 0.08 (SE) milliseconds per degree Celsius. The T1 time characterizes the time it needs for the protons in the magnetized matter to realign with the magnetic field in the MRI scanner.
- Age didn’t have a significant effect between horses aged 2 to 16, however, for very young horses, less than a year old, the T1 time was notably longer – an augmentation of 32.6 ± 1.7 (SE) milliseconds. This implies that the properties of bone marrow concerning magnetization may vary in young horses compared to mature ones.
- The effects of age and temperature on T1 time were similar across all the studied areas in the limb, but variations were observed in the mean values of T1, ranging from +7.7 milliseconds (in the case of the distal aspect of the distal phalanx) to -13.2 milliseconds (for the distal aspect of the proximal phalanx).
Implications
- The results present an important consideration for the use of STIR magnetic resonance imaging in horses. The fat suppression image quality could vary due to temperature fluctuations or the age of the horse, potentially affecting diagnostic outcomes.
- Next steps in research could involve broadening the age range of horses studied and further exploring the specific effect of temperature and age on different types of tissues within the equine distal limb.
Cite This Article
APA
Adrian AM, Koene M, Roberts S, Doughty P, Bolas N, Kinns J, Brehm W, Gerlach K.
(2012).
The influence of temperature and age on the T1 relaxation time of the equine distal limb.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 53(3), 296-303.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2011.01908.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Colorado State University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Fort Collins, CO, USA. anna.m.adrian@gmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Forelimb
- Hoof and Claw / anatomy & histology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
- Temperature
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