Correlation of postmortem 9.4 tesla magnetic resonance imaging and immunohistopathology of the human thoracic spinal cord 7 months after traumatic cervical spine injury.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with immunohistopathology in the injured human spinal cord.


METHODS
Postmortem MRI scans at a field strength of 9.4 T, as well as standard histology and immunohistochemistry, were performed on an excised specimen of human high thoracic spinal cord, obtained 7 months after the initial trauma, several segments below a severe spinal cord lesion (C5).


RESULTS
A precise correlation is described between MRI and immunohistochemistry of the long white matter tracts undergoing Wallerian degeneration and of an extension of the cervical lesion into the high thoracic cord.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI, the only imaging technique that currently provides useful information on the spinal cord parenchyma after trauma, is rapidly evolving. High-field scanners of up to 9.4 T are being clinically tested. The present postmortem investigation of an isolated spinal cord specimen demonstrates the precise correlation that can be achieved between imaging and pathology. In future investigations, this type of technique can lead to a more precise description of spinal cord injuries and their consequences in remote tissue. Translation into the clinical setting will improve diagnosis and follow-up of spinal cord injured patients.
Scholtes
Felix
F
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Belgium.
Adriaensens
Peter
P
Storme
Liesbet
L
Buss
Armin
A
Kakulas
Byron A
BA
Gelan
Jan
J
Beuls
Emile
E
Schoenen
Jean
J
Brook
Gary A
GA
Martin
Didier
D
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors