During Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) the patient is placed in a magnetic field and via the radio waves a 3D image is created based on the water molecules in the patient. During the scan perpendicular or longitudinal slices of an organ or body area are made via radio waves. This imaging technique shows how elaborate the tumour is and whether it grows into the surrounding tissues. An MRI scan is capable of showing a more detailed representation of a certain part of the body than ultrasound or radiography, especially for soft tissues and the brain. An intravenous contrast fluid can also be administered to the patient to show certain anomalies on the MRI scan even more clearly.

MRI of a dog’s head

An MRI scan is capable of giving very detailed information about the soft tissues such as the brain, tumours and metastases that cannot necessarily be detected via ultrasound or radiography. An MRI scan can help the surgeon determine if a surgical removal of the tumour is feasible and if this is the case, which are the risks associated with it. When planning radiotherapy, the MRI scan can provide the radio-oncologists with accurate information about the correct dosing and radiation region for the abnormal tissue.

When performing an MRI scan, the dog has to lie perfectly still. For this reason, animals undergoing an MRI scan are generally sedated. The MRI scan itself is very safe for the patient, although the magnetic field generated by this machine should be taken into account: during this procedure no metal (such as bone plates) can be present in the dog. The procedure is not painful and takes about 30 to 90 minutes (depending on the size of the area to be examined). During the MRI scan, a veterinarian is present the whole time to follow up the dog.