[High-resolution imaging of the layers of the gastrointestinal wall of pig and human specimens using an endoluminal MR receiver coil: correlation to histology].
OBJECTIVE
High-resolution MR imaging of the layers of the gastrointestinal wall to provide a foundation for tumor staging based on morphological criteria.


METHODS
Over a period of 12 months, miscellaneous parts of the gastrointestinal tract of 15 human specimens and 30 porcine specimens were scanned using a 1.5 Tesla clinical MRI scanner combined with an endoluminal receiver coil. The sequences used were T 1-weighted opposed-phase, T 2-weighted turbo spin echo with fat saturation and fast T 2-weighted inversion recovery. The number of differentiable layers, their width and the signal intensity were documented. Then, the results were compared with histological specimens in order to link the imaged wall layers to the anatomical layers. Spearman's Rank Correlation was used to determine the soundness of the link between the images and their related histology.


RESULTS
For both human and animal specimens, the MRI scanning produced 3 to 5, maximum 6 (pig), differentiable layers. The mucosa, submucosa and muscularis could be differentiated with a hyperintense, hypointense and intermediary signal, respectively. The subserosal layer displayed a hypointense signal.


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution MRI is able to produce differentiable images of the anatomical layers of the gastrointestinal wall in both humans and pigs. Accordingly, it is possible to use MR imaging to diagnose the extent of local tumor infiltration of the gastrointestinal wall.
Kramer
S
S
Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, Klinikum Dritter Orden, München. sebastian.kramer@urz.uni-hd.de
Palmowski
M
M
Macher-Göppinger
S
S
Müller
M
M
Volke
F
F
Düx
M
M
Kauczor
H-U
HU
Grenacher
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software