title: Phased-array of microcoils allows MR microscopy of ex vivo human skin samples at 9.4 T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a custom-made phased-array microcoil within a 400 MHz animal system for the morphological characterization of human skin tissue in correlation with histopathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  A dedicated 7-channel microcoil-based MR detector arranged in a phased-array geometry was developed to combine the advantages of both a large field of view and a high signal-to-noise ratio. Standard gradient echo sequences were adapted for the characterization of skin morphology ex vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, the feasibility of using this type of microdetector, combined with specially manufactured sample holders, to achieve high-resolution MR images of fresh and formalin-fixed, normal and hidradenitis suppurativa diseased skin was successfully demonstrated. The setup presented in this work allows reliable acquisitions of high-resolution images with in-plane resolution up to 25 × 25 μm², and 100 μm in the orthogonal direction, thereby allowing the differentiation of typical layers of the skin, sebaceous glands and hair follicle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that MR microscopy on skin biopsies can be applied at low cost on a standard animal MR imaging system. The successful imaging of different skin structures ex vivo is a prerequisite for non-invasive, in vivo application of skin MR microscopy for accurate complementary disease diagnosis in dermatology.
authors: Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Göbel
authors: O G
authors: OG
authors: Gruschke
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Leupold
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Kern
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Has
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bruckner-Tuderman
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Hennig
authors: D
authors: D
authors: von Elverfeldt
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Baxan
authors: J G
authors: JG
authors: Korvink
mesh_terms: D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008904:Miniaturization; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: High-field MRI; MR microscopy; RF phased-array microcoil; hidradenitis suppurativa; histopathology; skin MRI