I have been a veterinarian for over 35 years and a Radiologist for over 25 years. I have had the wonderful opportunity in my career to watch several new imaging modalities become standard practice in veterinary medicine. These include today’s common place modalities, including ultrasonography and computed tomography. However, nothing has improved visualization of the body as much as the newest arrival, magnetic resonance imaging.
While radiographs and computed tomography are excellent for the visualization of skeletal structures, and ultrasonography is equally well adapted for soft tissues, only magnetic resonance imaging offers the ability to see both osseous and soft tissues at the same time with the degree of clarity, contrast, and resolution available with MRI. Today, there is wide adoption of MRI in veterinary neurology for the diagnosis of diseases of the brain and spine.  Our medical colleagues use MRI most often for the diagnosis of orthopedic conditions. This area of visualization is improving in the veterinary profession but is still at a rather low level. New emerging areas of study in people include cancer detection, cardiac evaluation, and abdominal imaging. Many veterinary oncologists have adopted magnetic resonance imaging for the clear visualization of neoplastic conditions. Often, a combination of magnetic resonance imaging for clear visualization of the lesion can be coupled with computed tomography for automated treatment planning. Modern equipment such as that available at the Iams Pet Imaging Centers allows for visualization of all areas of the body, including the thorax and abdomen. Studies can include the thoracic cavity and cardiovascular system. In addition, portosystemic shunts in toy dogs are readily visualized. Magnetic resonance imaging has brought about a whole new cadre of common diseases that previously went undetected. These diseases include caudal occipital malformation syndrome with syringohydromyelia, infarcts of the brain and spinal column, supraspinatus tendinopathy, nerve sheath tumors of virtually any nerve in the body, and many others.
There are many imaging modalities available for the diagnosis of animals today. Often, studies start with the simple, readily available, and generally less costly procedures including radiography and ultrasonography. However, if the condition remains undiagnosed, then appropriate therapeutic measures cannot be ascertained. At that time, magnetic resonance imaging may offer significant advantages. While there is considerable cost for magnetic resonance imaging, my experience has taught me there is an even greater value in many cases.
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