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Updated: May 6, 2026
In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Cardiovascular magnetization transfer ratio imaging compared with histology: a postmortem study
Hendrikus J A Crooijmans1, Thomas D Ruder, Wolf-Dieter Zech
1Department of Radiology, Division of Radiological Physics, University of Basel Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) imaging by steady state free precession is a promising imaging method to assess microstructural changes within the myocardium. Hence, MTR imaging was correlated to histological analysis. Three postmortem cases were selected based on a suspicion of myocardial infarction. MTR and T2 -weighted (T2w ) imaging was performed, followed by autopsy and histological analysis. All tissue abnormalities, identified by autopsy or histology, were retrospectively selected on visually matched MTR and T2w images, and corresponding MTR values compared with normal appearing tissue. Regions of elevated MTR (up to approximately 20%, as compared to normal tissue), appearing hypo-intense in T2w -images, revealed the presence of fibrous tissue in microscopic histological analysis. Macroscopic observation (autopsy) described scar tissue only in one case. Regions of reduced MTR (up to approximately 20%) corresponded either to (i) the presence of edema, appearing hyperintense in T2w -images and confirmed by autopsy, or to (ii) inflammatory granulocyte infiltration at a microscopic level, appearing as hypo-intense T2w -signal, but not observed by autopsy. Findings from cardiovascular MTR imaging corresponded to histology results. In contrast to T2w -imaging, MTR imaging discriminated between normal myocardium, scar tissue and regions of acute myocardial infarction in all three cases.
Insights
Cardiovascular magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) imaging accurately detects myocardial microstructural changes. MTR imaging successfully differentiates scar tissue and acute myocardial infarction from normal tissue, correlating well with histology.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
- Histopathology
Background:
- Cardiovascular magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) imaging assesses myocardial microstructure.
- Steady-state free precession is a promising MTR imaging technique.
- Histological analysis is the gold standard for myocardial tissue characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate cardiovascular MTR imaging findings with histological analysis in postmortem cases.
- To evaluate MTR imaging's ability to differentiate myocardial pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Three postmortem cases with suspected myocardial infarction were studied.
- Cardiovascular MTR and T2-weighted (T2w) imaging were performed.
- Tissue abnormalities were identified and MTR values compared to normal tissue.
Main Results:
- Elevated MTR values (up to 20%) correlated with fibrous scar tissue.
- Reduced MTR values (up to 20%) indicated edema or inflammatory infiltration.
- MTR imaging distinguished normal myocardium, scar, and acute infarction, outperforming T2w imaging.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular MTR imaging effectively detects microstructural myocardial changes.
- MTR imaging provides accurate differentiation of myocardial infarction, scar, and edema.
- MTR imaging shows superior diagnostic performance compared to T2w imaging for myocardial pathologies.
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