Diffusivity- and T2 imaging at 3 Tesla for the detection of degenerative changes in human-excised tissue with high resolution: atherosclerotic arteries.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether it is possible to investigate degenerative changes in human tissue on a sub-100-microm resolution scale not only on special high-field small-bore MR-microscopy systems but also on a 3T whole-body MR-scanner.


METHODS
Spin-spin relaxation, proton density, and diffusion microimaging were investigated in studying human atherosclerotic arteries. Strong diffusion weighting and high spatial resolution was achieved by means of a strong dedicated gradient system and a small birdcage radiofrequency resonator.


RESULTS
Quantitative parameter maps were obtained at voxel sizes down to 73 x 73 x 600 microm3. The morphologic structure and pathology connected to lipid deposits, plaques, small thrombi, and bifurcations were well visualized.


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution parameter-weighted and parameter-imaging at sub-100-microm pixel resolution can be achieved for excised tissue on a 3.0 T whole body MR system. Perspectives for the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques imply not only cost advantages but also equivalence of contrast, especially as to T(2), for in vivo and high-resolution ex vivo investigations on the same MR scanner.
Berg
Andreas
A
Institute for Medical Physics, University of Vienna, Waehringerstr. 13, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. berg@univie.ac.at
Sailer
Johannes
J
Rand
Thomas
T
Moser
Ewald
E
D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male