Low-field magnetic resonance anatomic features of the neonatal foal thorax: An ex vivo study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the normal appearance of the bony and soft tissue structures of the thorax of neonatal foals by low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the use of anatomical dissections and gross sections. Three purebred Spanish neonatal foals that died for medical reasons unrelated to thoracic disease were used to obtain T1- and T2-weighted MR images using a magnet of 0.2 Tesla. Anatomic structures on the MR images were evaluated according to characteristics of signal intensity of the different organic tissues. The bones, different associated muscles, diaphragm, trachea, main bronchi, lungs, esophagus, heart chambers, and associated great vessels were well-visualized and evaluated with a low magnetic field. MRI provided correct discrimination of thoracic structures, and this information could be used as an initial anatomic reference for the interpretation of MR images of the thoraxes of neonatal foals.