Help4vet is an online MRI reporting service for veterinarians. Upload your DICOM MRI study of a dog or cat, such as the brain, spine or a joint, and a veterinary radiologist sends you a written report with findings, differential diagnoses and recommendations.
We accept files only in DICOM (.dcm) format. The scope of a report (number of regions and files per case) is specified in the price list after logging in. We offer two turnaround options: fast (up to 48 hours) and standard (up to 72 hours).
The finished report is sent to your email address and is also available in your account as a downloadable PDF. You can also share a large study via a cloud link – see FAQ.
Send every series you acquired, with the history and neurological examination findings. For the brain this usually means T2-weighted images in at least two planes, FLAIR, T2* or gradient echo, and T1-weighted images before and after contrast; for the spine, sagittal and transverse T2-weighted images and T1-weighted images.
MRI is the study of choice for suspected brain disease, spinal cord compression or myelopathy, and soft-tissue injuries around joints. For bone detail, the thorax or the abdomen, CT is usually more informative; see our CT reports.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced imaging technique that is becoming increasingly popular in veterinary medicine. It enables, like computed tomography (CT), spatial visualization of the examined structures. Initially, it was mainly used as a scientific and research imaging modality, but with the increase in the number of specialists, as well as the increase in awareness and expectations of animal owners, it began to play a key role in clinical practice.
The big advantage of MRI, unlike CT, is the lack of use of ionizing radiation. MRI imaging is based on the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, characteristic of the nuclei of some elements. The most commonly used element is the hydrogen atom, due to its significant occurrence in living organisms.
The general scheme of MRI function consists in placing the patient in a constant homogeneous magnetic field, with the examined part of the body placed within a special coil. The coil emits a radio frequency signal and receives a signal emitted back by the body. Then the emitted signal is processed by computer and the image is reconstructed.
Due to the magnitude of the magnetic field strength, MRI devices can be divided into high-field, medium-field and low-field strength. High-field scanners give the most detailed images, while low- and medium-field scanners are also widely used in clinical practice.
Both MRI and CT allow for accurate imaging of such head structures as nasal cavities, frontal sinuses, or tympanic cavities and ear canals, but MRI is the imaging technique of choice for brain disease, allowing detailed assessment of conditions such as ventriculomegaly, inflammatory, developmental or neoplastic changes. MRI exposes the brain structures in three imaging planes and allows making accurate measurements of various structures, for example, to determine the size factor of the cerebral ventricles. Differences in the signal of individual tissues (depending on the degree of their hydration), as well as the possibility of intravenous administration of contrast agents (changing the signal of tissues in the event of a blood-brain barrier break) allow for accurate differentiation of the above-mentioned pathological changes.
MRI is considered the gold standard in the imaging of spinal disorders because it gives the possibility of spatial visualization of structures and diagnostics of changes in the meninges of the spinal cord and the spinal cord itself. A significant number of pathological changes occurring in the spinal area, such as intervertebral disc disease, can also be traced in CT, but conditions involving the spinal cord and surrounding meninges can easily be overlooked using this technique. MRI allows obtaining a myelography-like image thanks to the contrast between the cerebrospinal fluid signal and the subarachnoid space, without the need to provide a contrast agent.
MRI is also used in the diagnosis of some diseases of the musculoskeletal system. CT allows accurate imaging of the skeleton and joint surfaces, while MRI will be used primarily to detect diseases of the surrounding soft tissues. It makes it possible to assess tissue structure from differences in signal, as well as to identify and classify injuries of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
CT is used to assess the structures located in the abdominal cavity and chest, due to the poor contrast and sharpness of the image of these tissues, obtained in MRI.
To sum up, magnetic resonance imaging is an increasingly common imaging technique characterized by the ability to generate three-dimensional images of the examined structures and the lack of use of ionizing radiation, which is very important for the patients’ and staff’s safety. The ability to image the brain, spinal cord and musculoskeletal system accurately makes MRI an excellent diagnostic tool for everyday clinical practice.
Send every series you acquired. For the brain, a typical set is T2-weighted images in transverse and sagittal planes, FLAIR, T2* or gradient echo, and T1-weighted images before and after contrast. For the spine, T2-weighted sagittal and transverse images and T1-weighted images are the core, with STIR or post-contrast series when the clinical question requires them. Protocols vary with the scanner's field strength and the clinical question, and the radiologist will report on what you send.
Yes, studies from low-, medium- and high-field scanners can be reported. Image quality and the range of available sequences depend on the scanner, and the radiologist will mention any limitation of the study in the report. Please include the scanner type and field strength in the history if you know it.
MRI shows soft tissue far better than CT. It is the preferred study for the brain (inflammatory, developmental and neoplastic disease, ventricular size), the spinal cord and meninges, and for soft tissues around joints such as ligaments and tendons. CT remains better for bone detail and for the thorax and abdomen. See also our pages on CT reports and MRI reports.
Choose export to DICOM format and select all sequences and planes of the study. Do not send screenshots, videos or PDF/JPG files – they do not contain the data needed for assessment.
If you are not sure how to do it on your scanner, ask the imaging centre that performed the study, or call +48 422 395 395 (9:00–18:00 Polish time).
You can upload the whole study folder in the order form (using a stable connection and keeping the browser tab open) or give a link to the study, e.g. from the imaging centre or a cloud service – a ZIP file is fine too.
If the upload keeps failing, call us – we can help by phone or via TeamViewer.
It depends on the clinical question and the decision of the attending veterinarian. A report is also possible without contrast. If contrast was given, send the series before and after it and state the agent used in the order.
They can limit the assessment. Metal distorts the image around it, and patient motion, such as breathing, blurs it. The radiologist will mention such limitations in the report. Please mention implants and previous surgery in the order.