Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Metabolic Support of Excised, Living Brain Tissues During Magnetic Resonance Microscopy Acquisition
Published on: October 18, 2017
Magnetic resonance of hearts in a jar: breathing new life into old pathological specimens
1Department of Paediatrics, Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre, Quebec, Canada. luc.jutras@muhc.mcgill.ca
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of historical heart specimens creates high-resolution, unalterable 3D datasets. This virtual autopsy approach ensures lasting access to valuable pathological collections for education and research.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Pathology
- Digital Archiving
Background:
- Traditional pathological collections of heart specimens are difficult to expand and often inaccessible for teaching.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a potential solution for creating high-resolution, unalterable digital datasets from preserved specimens.
- The application of
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using MRI to create 3D reconstructions of historical cardiac specimens.
- To establish optimal MRI sequences for scanning preserved pathological heart specimens.
- To demonstrate the potential of creating accessible digital archives of rare pathological specimens.
Main Methods:
- Five 3D pulse sequences were tested on a uterus specimen to determine optimal parameters and ensure specimen safety.
- Six historical heart specimens were scanned using a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner in their original fluid-filled containers.
- Image datasets were processed on a laptop using freeware DICOM viewer software.
Main Results:
- All historical heart specimens were successfully scanned, yielding high-resolution 3D datasets.
- The 3D FSPGR and BRAVO pulse sequences provided the best image quality.
- Detailed multi-planar image analysis was readily achievable for all scanned specimens.
Conclusions:
- MRI scanning of pathological specimens is a rapid and effective method for generating high-resolution, unalterable 3D datasets.
- Inexpensive, readily available software enables processing of these datasets into cardiac reconstructions.
- This virtual autopsy technique ensures permanent, widely shareable access to valuable pathological cardiac specimens for education and science.
Background:
Specimens of the normal and congenitally abnormal heart have been long preserved, collected, and studied. It is increasingly difficult to add to such pathological collections. These museum pieces are often inaccessible for teaching purposes. Magnetic resonance imaging of old pathological specimens could produce high-resolution unalterable datasets that could be processed to create three-dimensional reconstructions using inexpensive systems that could be used by untrained individuals. To our knowledge, the concept of "Virtual Autopsy" has not been applied to cardiac specimens of museum collections.
Methods:
To determine optimal sequences and assure specimen safety, five different pulse sequences designed to create three-dimensional datasets were tried on a uterus specimen suspended in a fluid-filled glass container, using a 1.5 Tesla scanner with an eight-channel phased-array coil. Having found the best sequences and established specimen integrity, we scanned six historical heart specimens in their original fluid-filled glass containers. The datasets were processed on a laptop with a DICOM viewer available as freeware.
Results:
All specimens were successfully scanned. The best image quality was obtained by using a three-dimensional FSPGR and the BRAVO pulse sequences. High-resolution three-dimensional and multi-planar image processing was possible for all datasets. Detailed examination of the specimens could be easily performed.
Conclusion:
Pathological specimens can successfully be scanned in minutes resulting in unalterable and portable high-resolution three-dimensional datasets that can be processed by using inexpensive readily available software. The final cardiac reconstructions can be widely shared for educational and scientific purposes and ensure a lasting access to pathological specimens.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...