Vessel size imaging of the Shionogi tumour model using contrast enhanced MRI

• Main Author: Wade, Trevor Paul
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/16801

Vessel size imaging is a relatively new technique in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. By measuring the change in the transverse relaxation constants R₂ and R*₂ caused by the injection of a superparamagnetic contrast agent known as ferumoxtran, it is possible to create a map of vessel size index, which is a weighted average of the vessel radius. This technique was used on the Shionogi tumour model to monitor changes in vasculature as a result of androgen ablation by way of castration. A vessel size index map was created for androgen dependent, regressing and androgen independent tumours, and a statistically significant difference between the stages was found. Regressing tumours had the smallest vessel size index followed by androgen dependent and then androgen independent tumours. In addition, a qualitative comparison with Hoechst stained tumours was made. === Science, Faculty of === Physics and Astronomy, Department of === Graduate