Phased‐array of microcoils allows MR microscopy of ex vivo human skin samples at 9.4 T. Issue 1 (26th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Göbel, K.; Gruschke, O. G.; Leupold, J.; Kern, J. S.; Has, C.; Bruckner–Tuderman, L.; Hennig, J.; von Elverfeldt, D.; Baxan, N.; Korvink, J. G.
• Is Part Of: Skin research and technology. Volume 21:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2014-07-26
• Subjects: Skin -- Research -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Skin -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/srt.12157
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0909-752X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="srt12157-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="srt12157-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12157-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and methods</title> <p>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 <italic>ex vivo</italic>.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12157-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec id="srt12157-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>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 <italic>ex vivo</italic> is a prerequisite for non‐invasive, <italic>in vivo</italic> application of skin MR microscopy for accurate complementary disease diagnosis in dermatology.</p> </sec> </abstract>