Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan
- We use an MRI machine (ESAOTE VET MRI GRANDE) designed specifically for the Veterinary use.
- This machine is implemented with the latest softwares and Artificial Intelligence (HawkCell AI, hawcell.com) which makes the study faster and optimizes Image Quality.
We will perform the MRI imaging, provide a full radiology report, access to the study, and will offer additional guidance and recommendations upon request before we return the case back to the referring Veterinarian.
- When is the MRI study indicated?
- Seizures:
- For diagnosis of primary epilepsy (Idiopathic Epilepsy)
- Or secondary epilepsy (Congenital Diseases, Brain Tumor, Brain Infarcts, Encephalitis, Meningitis, other)
- Gait abnormalities
- Disc herniation, Congenital abnormalities, Spinal cord tumor, Spinal cyst, Infectious/Inflammatory process
- MRI studies for final diagnosis are often combined with CSF tap.
- Seizures:
BETTER PATIENT CARE: AI accelerates MRI scans by 2X, reducing anesthesia time by up to 50% and expediting surgical case preparation.
IMAGE QUALITY: HawkAI enhances image clarity by 30% compared to Standard of Care Images, maintaining contrast and resolution while reducing noise.
COMPATIBILITY: HawkAI is compatible with all MRI manufacturers, operating seamlessly on both low and high-field magnetic systems.
MRI Report
- A preliminary MRI report and interpretation will be provided on the same day, and a final MRI report by a third party radiologist will follow 2-3 days later.
We will not discuss imaging results with the owners, give any treatments or treatment recommendations, except in emergency situations where the patient’s health and welfare is at risk, in such cases we will always try to contact the referring veterinarians and keep them informed.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Collection (CSF tap)
- CSF tap is an important diagnostic step in the diagnosis of neurological diseases, and it is performed very often just after the MRI when indicated.
- In a brain study, the CSF tap is indicated when the brain MRI is inconclusive or when it is suggestive of an infectious/Inflammatory process (meningitis, encephalitis, meningo-enecephalitis)
- The CSF tap is essential in the confirmation of an inflammatory /infectious process, and critical in the characterization of the process (bacteria, fungal, protozoal, viral, autoimmune, etc) for the definitive diagnosis.
- CSF is also performed under general anesthesia, so having this test performed under the same anesthesia during the MRI, it is most beneficial and cost effective for the patient.
- CSF tap will be performed by Dr. Adamo.
- CSF tap requires a special skill and Dr. Adamo has over 30 years of experience in performing this task and he also wrote a book chapter on how to perform CSF tap in dogs and cats, in one of the most textbook used in veterinary medicine.
Check the book chapter on wobblersyndrome.com website.
General anesthesia
The MRI study requires the patient to be completely still, therefore general anesthesia is required.
General anesthesia will be monitored by a Registered Veterinary Technician and supervised by a DVM.
- State of the Art MRI compatible monitoring equipment will be used to monitor the general anesthesia.