High-resolution 3D-MRI of postmortem brain specimens fixed by formalin and gadoteridol.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to compare magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo (MP-RAGE) images with T1-weighted images (T1WI) and T2-weighted images (T1W2) of postmortem brain tissue fixed by admixtures of formalin and gadoteridol. We additionally sought to explore the feasibility of using fixed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) in forensic practices.


METHODS
Specimens included in the study were eight whole brains that had been removed during forensic autopsy. Brain specimens were randomly divided into three groups and MRIs were performed either (A) the day of autopsy (n=2) on unfixed tissue, (B) after immersion fixation in 20% formalin (n=3), or (C) after immersion fixation in 20% formalin mixed with 4 mL/L ProHance® (gadoteridol) (n=3). T1WI, T2WI, and MP-RAGE images of all group samples were acquired with a 3T clinical MR scanner. Gray and white matter contrasts of the cortex and basal nucleus in every fixation group and image sequence were then visually compared.


RESULTS
Gray/white matter contrasts of the cortex were good in all images obtained by MP-RAGE, and T1WIs of specimens fixed by formalin and gadoteridol-mixed formalin. Additionally, gray/white matter contrast in the basal nucleus was sufficient in the MP-RAGE sequence of specimens fixed by gadoteridol-mixed formalin.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI of brains immersion-fixed in formalin and gadolinium could serve as a promising tool for neuropathological assessment in forensic practices.
Department of Forensic Medicine, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan; Tokyo Medical Examiner Office, 4-21-18 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan. Electronic address: ykanawaku@nifty.com.
Yoshimasa
Y
Kanawaku
Department of Radiological Technology, Tsukuba Medical Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Satoka
S
Someya
Department of Radiological Technology, Tsukuba Medical Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Tomoya
T
Kobayashi
Department of Legal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
Keiko
K
Hirakawa
Department of Radiology, Tsukuba Medical Center, 1-3-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8558, Japan.
Seiji
S
Shiotani
Tokyo Medical Examiner Office, 4-21-18 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan.
Tatsushige
T
Fukunaga
Department of Legal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
Youkichi
Y
Ohno
Resident, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan.
Saki
S
Kawakami
Department of Forensic Medicine, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan; Tokyo Medical Examiner Office, 4-21-18 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan.
Jun
J
Kanetake
D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005404:Fixatives; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods*; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005682:Gadolinium; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007101:Immersion; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D014041:Tokyo
D003287:Contrast Media; D005404:Fixatives; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C062402:gadoteridol; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005682:Gadolinium
Brain; Gadoteridol; Magnetic resonance imaging; Postmortem MRI; Specimen