MR histological correlation: A method for cutting specimens along the imaging plane in animal or ex vivo experiments

Olivier Rouvière, Carol Reynolds, Thomas Hulshizer, Phillip Rossman, Yuan Le, Joel P. Felmlee, Richard L. Ehman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To assess a method aimed at cutting histological specimens along the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plane. Material and Methods: The method is performed in two steps: the imaging plane (defined by three acrylic paint markers) is made horizontal under MR guidance by using a mobile platform that can be rotated in three directions (PlaneFinder device [PFD]): then, the specimen is embedded in wax and cut horizontally. Three-dimensional images parallel to the markers' plane were obtained on 31 pork muscles containing a central hole with a pyramidal shape, with a technique of reference (RT images) and with PFD (PF images), before and after fixation. The last 17 fixed specimens were cut in the markers' plane (tissue section [TS] images). The central hole area (CHA) in the markers' plane was used to compare RT, PF, and TS images. Using a workstation, PF images were rotated and translated to estimate the shift along each direction that could explain the entire CHA difference between RT, PF, and TS images (maximum error, worst-case scenario). Results: Excellent correlation was found between RT and PF images (r = 0.989, slope = 1.0175), PF and TS images (r = 0.991, slope = 1.0058), and RT images on fresh specimens and TS images (r = 0.979, slope = 1.0732). For each step, the maximum angle error was ≤ 3° in 88-95% of the specimens. Conclusion: Our methodology can be used to cut specimens along the imaging plane with high accuracy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)60-69
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2006

Keywords

  • Experimental medicine
  • Fiducial markers
  • Histology
  • Image registration
  • Magnetic resonance (MR)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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