Radiology
MRI uses strong magnetic fields to align atomic nuclei (usually hydrogen protons) within body tissues, then uses a radio signal to disturb the axis of rotation of these nuclei and observes the radio frequency signal generated as the nuclei return to their baseline states. The radio signals are collected by small antennae, called coils, placed near the area of interest. An advantage of MRI is its ability to produce images in axial, coronal, sagittal and multiple oblique planes with equal ease. MRI scans give the best soft tissue contrast of all the imaging modalities. With advances in scanning speed and spatial resolution, and improvements in computer 3D algorithms and hardware, MRI has become an important tool in musculoskeletal radiology and neuroradiology.
Soft tissue sarcoma in cats and dogs
Prior to initiating any type of treatment, it is important to gather as much information as possible regarding the tumor's tissue origin, size, site, histologic grade (level of aggressiveness) and whether it has spread to other organs.
To definitively confirm the diagnosis of a soft-tissue sarcoma, the veterinarian will have to perform biopsy for histopathologic evaluation. Additional tests are performed in order to evaluate how advanced the cancer is. These tests generally involve blood and serum biochemical tests, chest X-rays to check for metastasis to the lungs and imaging studies [e.g. ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] to evaluate the extent of the disease.