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MRI and histopathologic study of a novel cholesterol‐fed rabbit model of xanthogranuloma
Author(s) -
Chen Yuanxin,
Hamilton Amanda M.,
Parkins Katie M.,
Wang JianXiong,
Rogers Kem A.,
Zeineh Michael M.,
Rutt Brian K.,
Ronald John A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.25213
Subject(s) - rabbit (cipher) , pathology , medicine , cholesterol , radiology , computer science , computer security
Purpose To develop a rabbit model of xanthogranuloma based on supplementation of dietary cholesterol. The aim of this study was to analyze the xanthogranulomatous lesions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological examination. Materials and Methods Rabbits were fed a low‐level cholesterol (CH) diet ( n = 10) or normal chow ( n = 5) for 24 months. In vivo brain imaging was performed on a 3T MR system using fast imaging employing steady state acquisition, susceptibility‐weighted imaging, spoiled gradient recalled, T 1 ‐weighted inversion recovery imaging and T 1 relaxometry, PD‐weighted and T 2 ‐weighted spin‐echo imaging and T 2 relaxometry, iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least‐squares estimation, ultrashort TE MRI (UTE‐MRI), andT 2 *relaxometry. MR images were evaluated using a Likert scale for lesion presence and quantitative analysis of lesion size, ventricular volume, and T 1 , T 2 , andT 2 *values of lesions was performed. After imaging, brain specimens were examined using histological methods. Results In vivo MRI revealed that 6 of 10 CH‐fed rabbits developed lesions in the choroid plexus. Region‐of‐interest analysis showed that for CH‐fed rabbits the mean lesion volume was 8.5 ± 2.6 mm 3 and the volume of the lateral ventricle was significantly increased compared to controls ( P < 0.01). The lesions showed significantly shorter mean T 2 values (35 ± 12 msec, P < 0.001), longer mean T 1 values (1581 ± 146 msec, P < 0.05), and shorterT 2 *values (22 ± 13 msec, P < 0.001) compared to adjacent brain structures. The ultrashortT 2 *components were visible using UTE‐MRI. Histopathologic evaluation of lesions demonstrated features of human xanthogranuloma. Conclusion Rabbits fed a low‐level CH diet develop sizable intraventricular masses that have similar histopathological features as human xanthogranuloma. Multiparametric MRI techniques were able to provide information about the complex composition of these lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:673–682.