Methodology for MR diffusion tensor imaging of the cat spinal cord

Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the spinal cord is challenging because of the cord´s thin structure and the presence of physiological and susceptibility artifacts. To circumvent these issues, we developed a methodology for imaging the thoraco-lumbar spinal cord of cats at 3 T using single-shot spin-echo echo planar imaging (ss-SE-EPI). The proposed method could potentially be applied to humans since it was developed on a clinical scanner with a standard spine coil. Results provide (i) suggestions for optimal slice orientation and phase encoding direction; (ii) an assessment of the benefits of parallel imaging to reduce geometric distortions; (iii) feasibility of acquiring quality diffusion weighted data in 13 minutes at a resolution of 1.1 mm and (iv) determination of axonal disruption, in two cats with complete spinal cord transection, using tractography.