MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF EXPERIMENTAL TRACHEAL TRANSPLANTATION

Rationale and Objectives. We evaluated the feasibility of using contra st-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for in vivo monitoring of tracheal transplants in rabbits. Methods. Plain and gadolinium-enhance d, high-resolution MR images were obtained fr om six rabbits 4 weeks t o 6 months after an orthotopic tracheal transplantation (after heterot opic revascularization). The animals were sacrificed after the MR exam ination, and comparisons were made among tile MR images, macroscopic o bservations, and histologic sections. Results. All transplants were cl early identifiable on the MR images; they produced slight-to-moderate narrowing of the airway diameter. Enhancement of the transplant tissue s was clearly present. There was close correspondence between the MR m orphology and tile macroscopic and histologic sections. Conclusion. MR imaging can be used to monitor in vivo tracheal transplantation after heterotopic revascularization.