Histopathologic correlation of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of human cervical tissue samples at 3 tesla: validation of a technique.
OBJECTIVE
High-resolution magnetic resonance (HR-MR) images of human cervical tissue samples were correlated with low magnification histology to investigate the MR presentation of normal and pathologic anatomic structures in cervical tissue samples at 3T.


METHODS
Tissue samples were obtained from five large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) cone biopsies and one surgical specimen. HR-MR images (3D-Spin Echo sequence: TR/TE: 1500/60 milliseconds, voxel size of 117 x 208 x 234 microm) and low magnification (5x) histology sections were acquired in the same anatomical planes and correlated.


RESULTS
In vitro HR-MR imaging of cervical tissue samples correlated well with low magnification microscopic histology, demonstrating normal anatomy (epithelium and its mucus layer, connective tissue of the stroma, glands, blood vessels). In vitro HR-MR imaging adds information about tumor content and margins.


CONCLUSIONS
High resolution MR imaging of cervical tissue samples assists in the identification of both normal structures and pathologic changes.
Csapó
Bence
B
NMR-group, Department of Medical Physics, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna, Austria.
Széles
József
J
Helbich
Thomas H
TH
Klarhöfer
Markus
M
Balassy
Csilla
C
Pammer
Johannes
J
Obermair
Andreas
A
D001706:Biopsy; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*