High-resolution MR imaging of the cutis and subcutis. Histological correlation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the spatial resolution that can be achieved with currently available MR devices is adequate for the evaluation of skin disease.


METHODS
We correlated high-resolution MR images of the skin with dermatohistopathology in 26 patients. The examinations were carried out on a 1.0 T imager using a commercially available surface coil (ID 7.5 cm) and optimized SE and GE sequences. Image quality was assessed by four readers on a questionnaire.


RESULTS
The visualization of the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle fascia allowed a pattern analysis that gave findings identical to those at dermatohistopathology. It was possible to distinguish septal from lobular panniculitis, and lipatrophia from sclerodermia. Images with contrast media infusion were useful in the differential diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution MR imaging may narrow down the differential diagnosis of various skin diseases and may help to reduce the number of skin biopsies on certain indications.
Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Cologne, Germany.
B
B
Krug
H
H
Kugel
H J
HJ
Schulze
T
T
Krahe
J
J
Gieseke
K
K
Lackner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires