Volume and contrast development in the Rose Bengal model of cerebral infarction

The development of the Rose Bengal model of cerebral infarction in the rat is monitored using rapid NMR imaging techniques. The lesion volume,T ₁,T ₂, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) are measured in the time interval between 24 and 168 h postinduction. VolumetricT ₁-weighted 3D imaging of the lesions produced by this model is shown to have a standard error of about 5% over the first 3 days postinduction, rising to about 15% at 1 week. Both theT ₁ andT ₂ contrasts are found to be more durable than those in ADC and are, hence, more suitable for volumetric monitoring over this time period. An elevation in ADC is also observed in tissue outside the lesion and this is interpreted as being caused by the transport of edema away from the lesion.