MRI used to study dogs' cranial nerves

NATIONAL REPORT - 11/28/05 - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has made the description of dogs' cranial nerves (CN) possible and the detection of lesions affecting those nerves easier to detect, according to a study published in the journal Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound.

Inflammatory or neoplastic diseases can be detected earlier than other methods of detection, says Dr. Laurent Couturier, lead researcher on the study.In the study, 22 brain studies were conducted on various breeds of dogs to determine which CN can be viewed using the MRI so scientists can assess the origins of the nerves and small openings in the skull.

CN nuclei also were detected in the study, researchers say. A future study to determine normal canine CN nuclei is being considered.