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Kojima M, Makino Y, Yamaguchi R, Motomura A, Yajima D, Inokuchi G, Saito N, Torimitsu S, Hoshioka Y, Urabe S, Yoshida M, Iwase H, Miyati T. Gray-white matter contrast reversal on T 1-weighted spin-echo in postmortem brain. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 360:112031. [PMID: 38723476 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The image contrast of postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may differ from that of antemortem MRI because of circulator arrest, changes in postmortem tissue, and low-body-temperature scanning conditions. In fact, we have found that the signal intensity of white matter (WM) on T1-weighted spin-echo (T1WSE) images of the postmortem brain was lower than that of gray matter (GM), which resulted in image contrast reversal between GM and WM relative to the living brain. However, the reason for this phenomenon is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to clarify the reason why image contrast reversal occurs between GM and WM of the postmortem brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-three corpses were included in the study (mean age, 60.6 years; range: 19-60 years; mean rectal temperature at scan, 6.9℃; range: 4-11℃). On a 1.5 T MRI system, postmortem T1W-SE MRI of the brain was conducted in the 23 corpses prior to medico-legal autopsy. Next, T1 and T2 of the GM and WM at the level of the basal ganglia were determined in the same participants using inversion recovery and multiple SE sequences, respectively. The proton density (PD) was also calculated from the T1 and T2 images (in the same slice). RESULTS T1W-SE image contrast between the GM and WM of all postmortem brains was inverted relative to the living brain. T1 (579 ms in GM and 307 ms in WM) and PD (64 in GM and 44 in WM) of the postmortem brain decreased compared with the living brain. While T1 of WM/GM remained below 1 even postmortem, the PD of WM/GM decreased. T2 (110 ms in GM and 98 ms in WM) of the postmortem brain did not differ from the living brain. CONCLUSION The decrease in PD of WM/GM in the postmortem brain may be the major driver of contrast reversal between the GM and WM relative to the living brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kojima
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikami-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan
| | - Ayumi Motomura
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-3, Kozunomori, Narita-city, Chiba 286-8686, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yajima
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-3, Kozunomori, Narita-city, Chiba 286-8686, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Naoki Saito
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shumari Urabe
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 4-21-18 Otusuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maiko Yoshida
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tosiaki Miyati
- Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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Berger C, Bauer M, Scheurer E, Lenz C. Temperature correction of post mortem quantitative magnetic resonance imaging using real-time forehead temperature acquisitions. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 348:111738. [PMID: 37263059 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of deceased is challenging due to altered body temperatures compared to in vivo temperatures and, hence, requires a temperature correction. This study investigates the possibility to correct brain MRI parameters real-time and non invasively based on the forehead temperature. 17 post mortem cases were included and their forehead temperatures were measured continuously during the in situ brain MRI protocol consisting of a diffusion tensor imaging, multi-contrast spin echo, multi-echo gradient echo and inversion recovery spin echo sequence. Linear models were fitted to the quantitative MRI parameters in a forensically interesting temperature range for white matter, cerebral cortex and deep gray matter, separately, and the influence of the forehead temperature on the MRI parameters was determined. A statistically significant temperature sensitivity was found for T2 and mean diffusivity in white matter, for T1 in cerebral cortex, as well as for T1 and mean diffusivity in deep gray matter. Linear models were computed to temperature correct these MRI parameters in in situ post mortem scans to allow their comparison regardless of temperature. The here presented real-time and non invasive temperature correction method for the brain presents a crucial precondition for quantitative in situ post mortem MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Berger
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Bauer
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eva Scheurer
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Lenz
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland.
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Post mortem brain temperature and its influence on quantitative MRI of the brain. MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 35:375-387. [PMID: 34714448 PMCID: PMC9188516 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-021-00971-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective MRI temperature sensitivity presents a major issue in in situ post mortem MRI (PMMRI), as the tissue temperatures differ from living persons due to passive cooling of the deceased. This study aims at computing brain temperature effects on the MRI parameters to correct for temperature in PMMRI, laying the foundation for future projects on post mortem validation of in vivo MRI techniques. Materials and methods Brain MRI parameters were assessed in vivo and in situ post mortem using a 3 T MRI scanner. Post mortem brain temperature was measured in situ transethmoidally. The temperature effect was computed by fitting a linear model to the MRI parameters and the corresponding brain temperature. Results Linear positive temperature correlations were observed for T1, T2* and mean diffusivity in all tissue types. A significant negative correlation was observed for T2 in white matter. Fractional anisotropy revealed significant correlations in all gray matter regions except for the thalamus. Discussion The linear models will allow to correct for temperature in post mortem MRI. Comparing in vivo to post mortem conditions, the mean diffusivity, in contrast to T1 and T2, revealed additional effects besides temperature, such as cessation of perfusion and active diffusion.
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Arnold I, Schwendener N, Lombardo P, Jackowski C, Zech WD. 3Tesla post-mortem MRI quantification of anatomical brain structures. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 327:110984. [PMID: 34482282 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMR) allows for measurement of T1 and T2 relaxation times and proton density (PD) of brain tissue. Quantitative PMMR values may be used for advanced post-mortem neuro-imaging diagnostics such as computer aided diagnosis. So far, the quantitative T1, T2 and PD post-mortem values of regular anatomical brain structures were unknown for a 3 Tesla PMMR application. The goal of this basic research study was to evaluate the quantitative values of post-mortem brain structures for a 3 T post-mortem magnetic resonance application with regard to various corpse temperatures. In 50 forensic cases, a quantitative PMMR brain sequence was applied prior to autopsy. Measurements of T1 (in ms), T2 (in ms), and PD (in %) values of cerebrum (Group 1: frontal grey matter, frontal white matter, thalamus, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, internal capsule) brainstem and cerebellum (Group 2: cerebral peduncle, substantia nigra, red nucleus, pons, middle cerebellar peduncle, cerebellar hemisphere, medulla oblongata) were conducted in synthetically calculated axial PMMR brain images. Assessed quantitative values were corrected for corpse temperature. Temperature dependence was observed mainly for T1 values. ANOVA testing resulted in significant differences of quantitative values between the investigated anatomical brain structures in both groups. It can be concluded that temperature corrected 3 Tesla PMMR T1, T2 and PD values are feasible for characterization and discrimination of regular anatomical brain structures. This may provide a base for future advanced diagnostics of forensically relevant brain lesions and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Arnold
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Paolo Lombardo
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, University of Bern, Inselspital Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Wolf-Dieter Zech
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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Gascho D, Deininger-Czermak E, Zoelch N, Tappero C, Sommer S, Hinterholzer N, Thali MJ. Noninvasive 7 tesla MRI of fatal craniocerebral gunshots - a glance into the future of radiologic wound ballistics. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2020; 16:595-604. [PMID: 32920765 PMCID: PMC7669810 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-020-00300-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Compared to computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides superior visualization of the soft tissue. Recently, the first 7 Tesla (7 T) MRI scanner was approved for clinical use, which will facilitate access to these ultra-high-field MRI scanners for noninvasive examinations and scientific studies on decedents. 7 T MRI has the potential to provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a characteristic that can be directly exploited to improve image quality and invest in attempts to increase resolution. Therefore, evaluating the diagnostic potential of 7 T MRI for forensic purposes, such as assessments of fatal gunshot wounds, was deemed essential. In this article, we present radiologic findings obtained for craniocerebral gunshot wounds in three decedents. The decedents were submitted to MRI examinations using a 7 T MRI scanner that has been approved for clinical use and a clinical 3 T MRI scanner for comparison. We focused on detecting tiny injuries beyond the wound tract caused by temporary cavitation, such as microbleeds. Additionally, 7 T T2-weighted MRI highlighted a dark (hypo intense) zone beyond the permanent wound tract, which was attributed to increased amounts of paramagnetic blood components in damaged tissue. Microbleeds were also detected adjacent to the wound tract in the white matter on 7 T MRI. Based on the findings of radiologic assessments, the advantages and disadvantages of postmortem 7 T MRI compared to 3 T MRI are discussed with regard to investigations of craniocerebral gunshot wounds as well as the potential role of 7 T MRI in the future of forensic science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Gascho
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Eva Deininger-Czermak
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Niklaus Zoelch
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Tappero
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Radiology, Hôpital Fribourgeois, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Sommer
- Siemens Healthcare AG, Zurich, Switzerland.,SCMI, Swiss Center for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Balgrist Campus AG, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Natalie Hinterholzer
- SCMI, Swiss Center for Musculoskeletal Imaging, Balgrist Campus AG, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael J Thali
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Atar M, Kizmazoglu C, Kaya I, Aydin N, Corumlu U, Sozer G, Aydin HE, Kalemci O, Karabay N, Yuceer N. 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner evaluation of supratentorial major white matter tracts and central core anatomical structures of postmortem human brain hemispheres fixed by Klingler method. Br J Neurosurg 2020; 35:186-190. [PMID: 32672074 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2020.1779179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: As an advanced imaging technique for the human brain, the importance of magnetic resonance imaging technique (MRI) is indisputable. The study aims to contribute to the literature by imaging post-mortem human brain hemispheres fixed with the Klinger method through the a 3.0 Tesla MRI Scanner and by defining the supratentorial major white matter tracts and central core anatomical structures.Methods: In our study, 10 post-mortem human brain hemisphere specimens were placed in 10% formalin solution for at least two months according to the Klingler method. The images were obtained using a 3.0 Tesla MRI Scanner. Anatomical structures were described on the T1-T2 axial, coronal, and sagittal MRI sections and compared with control images obtained from healthy humans.Results: Our examination revealed major association fibers, the basal cores and nuclei were denser, and the connections between them were clearly visible. The basal nuclei particularly were visualized more clearly compared with the normal MRI examinations. The claustrum, putamen, lateral and medial part of globus pallidus, and the caudolenticular bridges of the caudate nucleus could be clearly distinguished. The optic radiation line toward the occipital area as well as the forceps major and minor were distinct in the axial sections. Meanwhile, the imaging emphasized the importance of temporal stem, and the fibers it contained were clearly observed in the coronal sections.Conclusion: The use of hemispheres fixed using the Klinger method in post-mortem MRI examinations on brain hemispheres showed a clear separation of white matter fibers and nuclear structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Atar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sultan Abdülhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ceren Kizmazoglu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ismail Kaya
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kutahya Health Science University, Kutahya, Turkey
| | - Nevin Aydin
- Department of Radiology, Osmangazi University School of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Ufuk Corumlu
- Department of anatomy, Kutahya Health Science University, Kutahya, Turkey
| | - Gulden Sozer
- Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine Institution, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hasan Emre Aydin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kutahya Health Science University, Kutahya, Turkey
| | - Orhan Kalemci
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nuri Karabay
- Department of Radiology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nurullah Yuceer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Katip Celebi University Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
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Jonkman LE, Steenwijk MD, Boesen N, Rozemuller AJM, Barkhof F, Geurts JJG, Douw L, van de Berg WDJ. Relationship between β-amyloid and structural network topology in decedents without dementia. Neurology 2020; 95:e532-e544. [PMID: 32661099 PMCID: PMC7455348 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000009910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between β-amyloid (Aβ) load and postmortem structural network topology in decedents without dementia. METHODS Fourteen decedents (mean age at death 72.6 ± 7.2 years) without known clinical diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease and meeting pathology criteria only for no or low Alzheimer disease (AD) pathologic change were selected from the Normal Aging Brain Collection Amsterdam database. In situ brain MRI included 3D T1-weighted images for anatomical registration and diffusion tensor imaging for probabilistic tractography with subsequent structural network construction. Network topologic measures of centrality (degree), integration (global efficiency), and segregation (clustering and local efficiency) were calculated. Tissue sections from 12 cortical regions were sampled and immunostained for Aβ and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau), and histopathologic burden was determined. Linear mixed effect models were used to assess the relationship between Aβ and p-tau load and network topologic measures. RESULTS Aβ was present in 79% of cases and predominantly consisted of diffuse plaques; p-tau was sparsely present. Linear mixed effect models showed independent negative associations between Aβ load and global efficiency (β = -0.83 × 10-3, p = 0.014), degree (β = -0.47, p = 0.034), and clustering (β = -0.55 × 10-2, p = 0.043). A positive association was present between Aβ load and local efficiency (β = 3.16 × 10-3, p = 0.035). Regionally, these results were significant in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) for degree (β = -2.22, p < 0.001) and local efficiency (β = 1.01 × 10-2, p = 0.014) and precuneus for clustering (β = -0.91 × 10-2, p = 0.017). There was no relationship between p-tau and network topology. CONCLUSION This study in deceased adults with AD-related pathologic change provides evidence for a relationship among early Aβ accumulation, predominantly of the diffuse type, and structural network topology, specifically of the PCC and precuneus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Jonkman
- From the Departments of Anatomy and Neurosciences (L.E.J., M.D.S., N.B., J.J.G.G., L.D., W.D.J.v.d.B.), Pathology (A.J.M.R.), and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B.), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK.
| | - Martijn D Steenwijk
- From the Departments of Anatomy and Neurosciences (L.E.J., M.D.S., N.B., J.J.G.G., L.D., W.D.J.v.d.B.), Pathology (A.J.M.R.), and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B.), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK
| | - Nicky Boesen
- From the Departments of Anatomy and Neurosciences (L.E.J., M.D.S., N.B., J.J.G.G., L.D., W.D.J.v.d.B.), Pathology (A.J.M.R.), and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B.), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK
| | - Annemieke J M Rozemuller
- From the Departments of Anatomy and Neurosciences (L.E.J., M.D.S., N.B., J.J.G.G., L.D., W.D.J.v.d.B.), Pathology (A.J.M.R.), and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B.), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- From the Departments of Anatomy and Neurosciences (L.E.J., M.D.S., N.B., J.J.G.G., L.D., W.D.J.v.d.B.), Pathology (A.J.M.R.), and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B.), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK
| | - Jeroen J G Geurts
- From the Departments of Anatomy and Neurosciences (L.E.J., M.D.S., N.B., J.J.G.G., L.D., W.D.J.v.d.B.), Pathology (A.J.M.R.), and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B.), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK
| | - Linda Douw
- From the Departments of Anatomy and Neurosciences (L.E.J., M.D.S., N.B., J.J.G.G., L.D., W.D.J.v.d.B.), Pathology (A.J.M.R.), and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B.), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK
| | - Wilma D J van de Berg
- From the Departments of Anatomy and Neurosciences (L.E.J., M.D.S., N.B., J.J.G.G., L.D., W.D.J.v.d.B.), Pathology (A.J.M.R.), and Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (F.B.), Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Institutes of Neurology and Healthcare Engineering (F.B.), University College London, UK
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Bauer M, Gerlach K, Scheurer E, Lenz C. Analysis of different post mortem assessment methods for cerebral edema. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 308:110164. [PMID: 32014814 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
While cerebral edema is a live-threatening condition in living persons, also an edema-like fluid redistribution can occur post mortem. In deceased, usually macroscopic signs are evaluated during autopsy in order to determine the presence or absence of cerebral edema. As a quantitative and objective classification is beneficial, an already existing method (Radojevic et al., 2017), which is based on a mathematical formula using the intracranial dimensions and the cerebral weight, was compared to the evaluation of macroscopic signs in 31 cases. The results showed an excellent agreement for the comparison between the raters as well as the measurement methods (at opened skull or in CT images). However, both measurement methods only poorly agree with the macroscopic edema evaluation. In order to find a more concordant method, the normalized cerebral weight, which puts the cerebral weight in relation to the intracranial volume, was calculated for 115 cases. This method resulted in an excellent agreement with the macroscopic rating and showed a clear numerical difference between the edematous and nonedematous group. While the influence of the post mortem time and the cooling time was found to be negligible, the age at death might confound the edema classification due to pre-existing cerebral atrophy leading to lower cerebral weights. In summary, the present study compared different assessment methods to classify cerebral edema and developed a rater independent, objective and quantitative classification method, which was as reliable as the rating of the forensic pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Bauer
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Kathrin Gerlach
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eva Scheurer
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Lenz
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland
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Walker MR, Zhong J, Waspe AC, Looi T, Piorkowska K, Drake JM, Hodaie M. Acute ex vivo changes in brain white matter diffusion tensor metrics. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223211. [PMID: 31557265 PMCID: PMC6762128 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and tractography has an important role in the visualization of brain white matter and assessment of tissue microstructure. There is a lack of correspondence between diffusion metrics of live tissue, ex vivo tissue, and histological findings. The objective of this study is to elucidate this connection by determining the specific diffusion alterations between live and ex vivo brain tissue. This may have an important role in the incorporation of diffusion imaging in ex vivo studies as a complement to histological sectioning as well as investigations of novel neurosurgical techniques. Methods This study presents a method of high angular resolution diffusion imaging and tractography of intact and non-fixed ex vivo piglet brains. Most studies involving ex vivo brain specimens have been formalin-fixed or excised from their original biological environment, processes both of which are known to affect diffusion parameters. Thus, non-fixed ex vivo tissue is used. A region-of-interest based analysis of diffusion tensor metrics are compared to in vivo subjects in a selection of major white matter bundles in order to assess the translatability of ex vivo diffusion measurements. Results Tractography was successfully achieved in both in vivo and ex vivo groups. No significant differences were found in tract connectivity, average streamline length, or apparent fiber density. Significantly decreased diffusivity (mean, axial, and radial; p<0.0005) in the non-fixed ex vivo group and unaltered fractional anisotropy (p>0.059) between groups were observed. Conclusion This study validates the extrapolation of non-fixed fractional anisotropy measurements to live tissue and the potential use of ex vivo tissue for methodological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. Walker
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour - Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jidan Zhong
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour - Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adam C. Waspe
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas Looi
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karolina Piorkowska
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James M. Drake
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mojgan Hodaie
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour - Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Movement of steel-jacketed projectiles in biological tissue in the magnetic field of a 3-T magnetic resonance unit. Int J Legal Med 2017; 131:1363-1368. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1574-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Haakma W, Pedersen M, Froeling M, Uhrenholt L, Leemans A, Boel LWT. Diffusion tensor imaging of peripheral nerves in non-fixed post-mortem subjects. Forensic Sci Int 2016; 263:139-146. [PMID: 27107969 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE While standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are increasingly employed in post-mortem (PM) examinations, more advanced techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) remain unexplored in forensic sciences. Therefore, we studied the temporal stability and reproducibility of DTI and fiber tractography (FT) in non-fixed PM subjects. In addition, we investigated the lumbosacral nerves with PMDTI and compared their tissue characteristics to in vivo findings. METHODS MRI data were acquired on a 1.5T MRI scanner in seven PM subjects, consisting of six non-trauma deaths and one chronic trauma death, and in six living subjects. Inter-scan (within one session) and inter-session (between days) reproducibility of diffusion parameters, fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD), were evaluated for the lumbosacral nerves using Bland-Altman and Jones plots. Diffusion parameters in nerves L3-S2 were compared to living subjects using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Reproducibility of diffusion values of inter-scan 95% limits of agreement ranged from -0.058 to 0.062 for FA, and (-0.037 to 0.052)×10(-3)mm(2)/s for MD. For the inter-session this was -0.0423 to 0.0423, and (-0.0442 to 0.0442)×10(-3)mm(2)/s for FA, and MD, respectively. Although PM subjects showed approximately four-fold lower diffusivity values compared to living subjects, FT results were comparable. The chronic trauma case showed disorganization and asymmetry of the nerves. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that DTI was reproducible in characterizing nervous tissue properties and FT in reconstructing the architecture of lumbosacral nerves in PM subjects. We showed differences in diffusion values between PM and in vivo and showed the ability of PMDTI and FT to reconstruct nerve lesions in a chronic trauma case. We expect that PMDTI and FT may become valuable in identification and documentation of PM nerve trauma or pathologies in forensic sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieke Haakma
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Comparative Medicine Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Michael Pedersen
- Comparative Medicine Lab, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; MR Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Martijn Froeling
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lars Uhrenholt
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alexander Leemans
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Zech WD, Hottinger AL, Schwendener N, Schuster F, Persson A, Warntjes MJ, Jackowski C. Post-mortem 1.5T MR quantification of regular anatomical brain structures. Int J Legal Med 2016; 130:1071-1080. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-016-1318-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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