Regional ADC values of the morphologically normal canine brain

Introduction

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly available for investigation of canine brain diseases. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of normal canine brains is reported only in small numbers of subjects. The aim of the study was to investigate the ADC of different anatomical regions in the morphologically normal brain in a large population of canine patients in clinical setting. Additionally, possible influence on the ADC value of patient-related factors like sex, age and body weight, difference between the left and right side of the cerebral hemispheres, and between gray and white matter were investigated.

Methods

Brain magnetic resonance studies including diffusion-weighted images of dogs presented at the Vetsuisse Faculty-University Zurich between 2015 and 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Only morphologically normal brain magnetic resonance studies of dogs presented with neurological signs or non-neurological signs were included. Apparent diffusion coefficient values of 12 regions of interest (ROIs) in each hemisphere and an additional region in the cerebellar vermis were examined in each dog.

Results

A total of 321 dogs (including 247 dogs with neurological signs and 62 dogs with non-neurological signs) of various breeds, sex and age were included. Apparent diffusion coefficient significantly varied among most anatomical brain regions. A significantly higher ADC was measured in the gray [median 0.79 (range 0.69-0.90) × 10-3 mm2/s] compared to the white matter [median 0.70 (range 0.63-0.85) × 10-3 mm2/s]. No significant differences were found between the left and right cerebral hemispheres in most of the regions, neither between sexes, different reproductive status, and not consistently between body weight groups. Age was correlated first with a decrease from dogs <1 year of age to middle-age (⩾3 to <8 years) dogs and later with an increase of ADC values in dogs ⩾8 years.

Discussion

Apparent diffusion coefficient values of 25 ROIs were described in 321 morphologically normal canine brains in clinical setting. Apparent diffusion coefficient differences depending on the brain anatomical region are present. Apparent diffusion coefficient differences among age classes are present, likely consistent with brain maturation and aging. The described data can be a reference for future studies in clinical settings on the canine brain.

Investigated regional apparent diffusion coefficient values of the morphologically normal feline brain

OBJECTIVES

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI is increasingly available in veterinary medicine for investigation of the brain. However, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values have only been reported in a small number of cats or in research settings. The aim of this study was to investigate the ADC values of different anatomical regions of the morphologically normal brain in a feline patient population. Additionally, we aimed to assess the possible influence on the ADC values of different patient-related factors, such as sex, body weight, age, imaging of the left and right side of the cerebral hemispheres and white vs grey matter regions.

METHODS

This retrospective study included cats undergoing an MRI (3T) examination with DWI sequences of the head at the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University Zurich between 2015 and 2021. Only cats with morphologically normal brains were included. On the ADC maps, 10 regions of interest (ROIs) were manually drawn on the following anatomical regions: caudate nucleus; internal capsule (two locations); piriform lobe; thalamus; hippocampus; cortex cerebri (two locations); cerebellar hemisphere; and one ROI in the centre of the cerebellar vermis. Except for the ROI at the cerebellar vermis, each ROI was drawn in the left and right hemisphere. The ADC values were calculated by the software and recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 129 cats were included in this study. The ADC varied in the different ROIs, with the highest mean ADC value in the hippocampus and the lowest in the cerebellar hemisphere. ADC was significantly lower in the white cerebral matter compared with the grey matter. ADC values were not influenced by age, with the exception of the hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

ADC values of different anatomical regions of the morphologically normal feline brain in a patient population of 129 cats in a clinical setting are reported for the first time.