Device for sectioning prostatectomy specimens to facilitate comparison between histology and in vivo MRI

To develop a device for sectioning prostatectomy specimens that would facilitate comparison between histology and in vivo MRI.

A multi-bladed cutting device was developed, which consists of an adjustable box capable of accommodating a prostatectomy specimen up to 85 mm in size in the lateral direction, a "plunger" tool to press on the excised gland from the top to prevent it from rolling or sliding during sectioning, and a multi-bladed knife assembly capable of holding up to 21 blades at 4-mm intervals. The device was tested on a formalin fixed piece of meat and subsequently used to section a prostatectomy specimen. Histology sections were compared with T2-weighted MR images acquired in vivo before the prostatectomy procedure.

The prostatectomy specimen slices were very uniform in thickness with each face parallel to the other with no visible sawing marks on the sections by the blades after the cut. MRI and histology comparison showed good correspondence between the two images.

The developed device allows sectioning of prostatectomy specimens into parallel cuts at a specific orientation and fixed intervals. Such a device is useful in facilitating accurate correlation between histology and MRI data.