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Abstract #2497

Cactus Spines as Fiducials for MRI and Pathology Correlation of Ex-Vivo Human Lymph Nodes

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.

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