Diagnostic MRI in Dogs and Cats, 2nd Edition

Edited By Wilfried Mai

ISBN 9781032550640

765 Color Illustrations

July 24, 2026 

by CRC Press

916 Pages

Diagnostic MRI in Dogs and Cats makes the vast and increasingly complex topic of clinical MRI in small animals accessible to all veterinarians. With the increasing availability of MRI technology, there is a pressing need for expertise in interpreting these images. Now fully updated, this remains the first reference textbook to provide a comprehensive, image-rich overview of the current knowledge, focusing on imaging appearance rather than on clinical signs or treatment. MRI images from low-, mid-, and high-field magnets reflect the diversity of equipment in clinical use today.

This second edition reflects our broader understanding of MRI’s clinical utility, bringing in the latest research, additional or better case examples, and refinements that reflect how far the field has come and where it’s going. It includes the following new information:

• A chapter dedicated to MRI pulse sequences in use in veterinary imaging

• A chapter covering MRI safety

• Expansion of the technical particularities of 3.0 T MRI scanners

• A chapter on MRI anatomy of the brain and spinal cord with detailed illustrations

• Two chapters dedicated to the differential diagnoses based on the main findings observed on MR images of the brain or spine, helping learners to organize and improve their interpretative skills

• Updated information in all previously existing chapters to reflect the current knowledge based on peer-reviewed publications on the specific topics covered in each of them

• Replacement of many images with better examples and higher-quality illustrations

With chapters on MRI physics and technology as well as sections on specific anatomical regions, the book functions as a standalone reference for the reader, whether a radiology/neurology resident in training or a practitioner with a need to learn about veterinary clinical MRI.

Section 1 - Physics and Technical Considerations - Image Optimization

Chapter 1: General Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Chapter 2: Image Characteristics in MRI

Chapter 3: Principal and Advanced Pulse Sequences

Chapter 4: MRI Artifacts

Chapter 5: Optimized Technique: Brain

Chapter 6: Optimized Technique: Spine

Chapter 7: Technical Particularities with Low-Field and 3 T MRI

Chapter 8: MRI Safety

Section 2: MRI of the Brain

Chapter 9: MRI Neuroanatomy

Chapter 10: Congenital and Developmental Disorders of the Brain

Chapter 11: Metabolic, Toxic and Degenerative Encephalopathies

Chapter 12: Encephalitis/Meningoencephalitis

Chapter 13: Intracranial Neoplasia

Chapter 14: Cystic and Cyst-Like Conditions of the Brain

Chapter 15: Ischemic Brain Disease and Vascular Anomalies

Chapter 16: Intracranial Hemorrhage

Chapter 17: Brain Trauma

Chapter 18: Brain Maturation and Aging

Chapter 19: Cranial Nerves Diseases

Chapter 20: Neuroanatomical Differential Diagnoses of Intracranial Lesions

Section 3: MRI of Non-Neurological Structures of the Head and Neck

Chapter 21: Nasal Cavity and Frontal Sinuses

Chapter 22: Eye and Orbit

Chapter 23: External, Middle, and Inner Ear

Chapter 24: Non-Neurologic Conditions of the Head and Neck

Section 4: MRI of the Spine

Chapter 25: The Intervertebral Disc: Normal MRI Anatomy, Degenerative Disc Disease and Disc Herniation

Chapter 26: Cervical Spondylomyelopathy

Chapter 27: Degenerative Lumbosacral Stenosis

Chapter 28: Congenital and Developmental Anomalies and Malformations of the Spine

Chapter 29: Spinal Inflammatory and Infectious Conditions

Chapter 30: Spinal Neoplasia

Chapter 31: Compressive Vasculopathy, Ischemic Myelopathy, Spinal Hemorrhage, Myelomalacia

Chapter 32: Cystic and Cyst-Like Conditions of the Spine

Chapter 33: Syringomyelia

Chapter 34: Brachial, Lumbosacral Plexuses and Other Spinal Nerves

Chapter 35: Degenerative Spinal Diseases

Chapter 36: Spinal Trauma

Chapter 37: Paraspinal Soft Tissues

Chapter 38: Neuroanatomical Differential Diagnoses of Spinal Lesions

Section 5: MRI of the Musculoskeletal System

Chapter 39: General Features and Optimized Technique for the Musculoskeletal System

Chapter 40: Musculoskeletal Diseases

Section 6: MRI of the Thorax and Abdomen

Chapter 41: Cardiac MRI

Chapter 42: Non-Cardiac Thoracic Conditions

Chapter 43: Abdominal MRI

Dr. Wilfried Mai earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (Dr Méd Vét) from the School of Veterinary Medicine of Maisons-Alfort, France, in 1995. Following a two-year internship in small animal internal medicine, he completed a residency in radiology and a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering in Lyon, France. Dr. Mai went on to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Université Claude Bernard in Lyon, in collaboration with Duke University in North Carolina.

He became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2000 and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology in 2006.

Since joining the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004, Dr. Mai has been a dedicated clinician, educator, and researcher in veterinary radiology. He currently serves as Professor and Chief of Radiology, as well as Director of the Radiology Residency Program at Penn Vet.