Artifact Induced by a Transponder During In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Horse Brain.
Authors: Ella Arsène, Gomot Gilles, Lévy Isabelle, Dominici Claudia, Adriaensen Hans, Reigner Fabrice, Keller Matthieu, Guillaume Daniel
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Mandatory microchip identification of horses across Europe presents an unexpected technical challenge during brain MRI examinations: the implanted transponder in the cervical ligament generates significant artefactual distortion that progressively degrades image quality from the midbrain posteriorly, rendering the cerebellum essentially non-diagnostic. Researchers investigating this phenomenon anaesthetised ponies for 2-hour 3T MRI brain scans using standard four-element head coils and three complementary sequences (3D T1, 3D T2, and 2D T1), then isolated the transponder itself in an inert gel medium to confirm it as the artefact source. The distortion pattern proved consistent and reproducible, with anterior brain structures remaining diagnostically acceptable whilst posterior fossa anatomy deteriorated dramatically—a finding with obvious implications for any brain-focused imaging protocols in equines, particularly those requiring detailed cerebellar or brainstem assessment. Equine practitioners ordering or performing MRI should anticipate this limitation when interpreting equine neuroimaging and consider whether alternative imaging modalities or modified scanning protocols might be necessary for full diagnostic coverage, particularly in cases of suspected posterior fossa pathology.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Be aware that mandatory EU transponder implants can severely compromise brain MRI quality in horses and ponies, particularly for posterior fossa structures
- •If advanced brain imaging is needed for diagnostic purposes, consider whether the transponder artifact will interfere with visualization of clinically relevant regions before proceeding with 3T MRI
- •Document and communicate transponder-related imaging artifacts to referring veterinarians and researchers to avoid misinterpretation of apparent brain pathology
Key Findings
- •Transponder implants in the cervical neck ligament produce significant magnetic resonance imaging artifacts affecting posterior brain structures
- •Artifacts progressively distort MRI images posteriorly to the pineal-pituitary axis and completely obscure cerebellar imaging
- •In vitro testing confirmed the transponder as the source of the observed artifact pattern