Magnetic resonance imaging of feline eye

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] of the normal feline eye and optic nerves using T[1]-weighted and T[2]-weighted images. A total of 6 healthy female domestic short hair cats age 2-2.5 years and weighing 3.2 +/- 0.4 kg were selected. Magnetic resonance imaging data were collected using GEMSOW [Philips] at a magnetic field strength of 1.5 T. Dorsal, sagittal, and transverse plane images were obtained from left and right eyes. Intraocular structures of the cats visible on T[1]-weighted and T[2]-weighted images include cornea, anterior chamber, posterior chamber, lens, iris, sclera, and chiasma. Cornea was well detected in T[1]-weighted, the iris in T[2]-weighted and chiasma was well detected in T[2]- weighted in dorsal plane. Measurements of the visible structures on T[1]-weighted and T[2]-weighted images did not show any significant difference between the left and right eyes [P>0.05]. MRI provides excellent anatomical detail of the feline eye and optic nerve due to its superior soft tissue contrast and its multiplanar and multislice imaging capability