Susceptibility weighted imaging at 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in dogs: Comparison with T2*‐weighted gradient echo sequence and its clinical indications

Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is a high resolution, fully velocity‐compensated, three‐dimensional gradient echo (GE) MRI technique. In humans, SWI has been reported to be more sensitive than T2*‐weighted GE sequences in the identification of both intracranial hemorrhage and intra‐vascular deoxyhemoglobin. However, published clinical studies comparing SWI to T2*‐weighted GE sequences in dogs are currently lacking. The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to compare SWI and T2*‐weighted GE sequences in a group of dogs with intracranial disease. Medical records were searched for dogs that underwent a brain MRI examination that included T2*‐weighted GE and SWI sequences. The presence and appearance of non‐vascular and vascular signal voids observed on T2*‐weighted GE and SWI were compared. Thirty‐two dogs were included with the following diagnoses: presumed and confirmed intracranial neoplasia (27), cerebrovascular accidents (3), and trauma (2). Hemorrhagic lesions were significantly more conspicuous on SWI than T2*‐weighted GE sequences (P < .0001). Venous structures were well defined in all SWI sequences, and poorly defined in all dogs on T2*‐weighted GE. Susceptibility weighted imaging enabled identification of vascular abnormalities in 30 of 32 (93.8%) dogs, including: neovascularization in 19 of 32 (59.4%) dogs, displacement of perilesional veins in five of 32 (15.6%) dogs, and apparent dilation of perilesional veins in 10 of 32 (31.3%) dogs. Presence of neovascularization was significantly associated with T1‐weighted post‐contrast enhancement (P = .0184). Hemorrhagic lesions and venous structures were more conspicuous on SWI compared to T2*‐weighted GE sequences. Authors recommend adding SWI to standard brain protocols in dogs for detecting hemorrhage and identifying venous abnormalities for lesion characterization.