title: MR histological correlation: a method for cutting specimens along the imaging plane in animal or ex vivo experiments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess a method aimed at cutting histological specimens along the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plane.
  
  
  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 < or = 3 degrees in 88-95% of the specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our methodology can be used to cut specimens along the imaging plane with high accuracy.
authors.affiliation: MRI Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. olivier.rouviere@netcourrier.com
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rouvière
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hulshizer
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rossman
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Joel P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Felmlee
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ehman
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates; D000818:Animals; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009132:Muscles / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010150:Paint; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates