MR microscopy of the human fetal upper extremity - a proof-of-principle study.
Current knowledge of the human fetal and embryonic development relies on early descriptive studies of humans and from experimental studies of laboratory animals and embryos. Taking the upper extremity as an example, this study explores the potential of magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) for the assessment of the development of the fetal upper extremity and discusses its correlation with histological findings.



Ex vivo MRM at 7.1 T (Clin Scan, Bruker Biospin, Germany) was performed in 10 human specimens at 8 to 12 weeks of gestational age (GA). In-plane resolution was 20 μm with a slice thickness of 70 μm. MRM was followed by histological work-up of the specimens. MRM images were then correlated with conventional histology with a focus on the presence of chondrification and ossification.



Ossification of the upper human extremity is detectable at 8 weeks GA in the humerus and the long bones of the forearm. There is excellent correlation for location and size of ossification between MRM and conventional histology. MRM imaging is in accordance with historical studies.



Ex vivo MRM for the non-invasive assessment of the embryonic and fetal development of the upper human extremity is feasible. It may provide an accurate complementary tool for the evaluation of embryological development.
Division of Hand Surgery and Functional Microsurgery, Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Inga
I
Langner
Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
Thomas
T
Stahnke
Department of Ophthalmology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
Oliver
O
Stachs
Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
Tobias
T
Lindner
Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str. 1, 17475, Greifswald, Germany.
Jens-Peter
JP
Kühn
Division of Hand Surgery and Functional Microsurgery, Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
Simon
S
Kim
Department of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
Andreas
A
Wree
Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str. 1, 17475, Greifswald, Germany. soenke.langner@uni-greifswald.de.
Soenke
0000-0001-7241-1173
S
Langner
D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008853:Microscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*
Fetal development; MR microscopy; Ultra high-field MRI; Upper extremity