Brainstem anatomy with 7-T MRI: in vivo assessment and ex vivo comparison.

Autor: Donatelli G; Neuroradiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.; Imago7 Research Foundation, Pisa, Italy., Emmi A; Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CESNE), University of Padova, Padua, Italy., Costagli M; Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.; Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy., Cecchi P; Neuroradiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.; Imago7 Research Foundation, Pisa, Italy., Macchi V; Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CESNE), University of Padova, Padua, Italy., Biagi L; Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy., Lancione M; Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy., Tosetti M; Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy., Porzionato A; Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CESNE), University of Padova, Padua, Italy., De Caro R; Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Human Anatomy, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CESNE), University of Padova, Padua, Italy., Cosottini M; Department of Translational Research On New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Neuroradiology Unit, University of Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy. mirco.cosottini@unipi.it.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: European radiology experimental [Eur Radiol Exp] 2023 Nov 16; Vol. 7 (1), pp. 71. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 16.
DOI: 10.1186/s41747-023-00389-y
Abstrakt: Background: The brainstem contains grey matter nuclei and white matter tracts to be identified in clinical practice. The small size and the low contrast among them make their in vivo visualisation challenging using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences at high magnetic field strengths. Combining higher spatial resolution, signal- and contrast-to-noise ratio and sensitivity to magnetic susceptibility (χ), susceptibility-weighted 7-T imaging could improve the assessment of brainstem anatomy.
Methods: We acquired high-resolution 7-T MRI of the brainstem in a 46-year-old female healthy volunteer (using a three-dimensional multi-echo gradient-recalled-echo sequence; spatial resolution 0.3 × 0.3 × 1.2 mm 3 ) and in a brainstem sample from a 48-year-old female body donor that was sectioned and stained. Images were visually assessed; nuclei and tracts were labelled and named according to the official nomenclature.
Results: This in vivo imaging revealed structures usually evaluated through light microscopy, such as the accessory olivary nuclei, oculomotor nucleus and the medial longitudinal fasciculus. Some fibre tracts, such as the medial lemniscus, were visible for most of their course. Overall, in in vivo acquisitions, χ and frequency maps performed better than T2*-weighted imaging and allowed for the evaluation of a greater number of anatomical structures. All the structures identified in vivo were confirmed by the ex vivo imaging and histology.
Conclusions: The use of multi-echo GRE sequences at 7 T allowed the visualisation of brainstem structures that are not visible in detail at conventional magnetic field and opens new perspectives in the diagnostic and therapeutical approach to brain disorders.
Relevance Statement: In vivo MR imaging at UHF provides detailed anatomy of CNS substructures comparable to that obtained with histology. Anatomical details are fundamentals for diagnostic purposes but also to plan a direct targeting for a minimally invasive brain stimulation or ablation.
Key Points: • The in vivo brainstem anatomy was explored with ultrahigh field MRI (7 T). • In vivo T2*-weighted magnitude, χ, and frequency images revealed many brainstem structures. • Ex vivo imaging and histology confirmed all the structures identified in vivo. • χ and frequency imaging revealed more brainstem structures than magnitude imaging.
(© 2023. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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