Mies A. Korteweg1, Jaco J.M. Zwanenburg1,
Cristian Koolstra, Paul J. van Diest2, Arjen J. Witkamp3,
Willem P.Th.M. Mali1, Peter R. Luijten1, Wouter B. Veldhuis1
1Radiology, University Medical Center
Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; 2Pathology, University Medical
Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; 3Surgery, University Medical
Center Utrecht, Netherlands
We
describe the properties and suitability of cactus spines used as fiducial
markers in ex-vivo human lymph nodes for the correlation of MRI to
histopathology. In 42 nodes cactus spines were inserted before scanning at
7T. Afterwards the nodes were pathologically examined. Geometric distortions,
susceptibility- or pathologic examination artifacts and identification on MRI
were scored. Cactus spines were readily identified both on MRI and at
histopathology. No interference was noted for either analysis. It was
concluded that cactus spines are suitable fiducials which aid in the accurate
correlation of intranodal imaging features to histopathology.