Diffusion-weighted post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging of the human fetal brain in situ

High resolution isotropic diffusion imaging in post-mortem neonates: a feasibility study

“…T-test results are shown in Figure 2.Average MD values were obtained from all organs in all cases and shown inFigures 3 respectively. Brain and solid organ MD values are comparable to those obtained in previous studies(6,7). Myocardium and psoas muscle were found to have the highest MD values(Figure 3).…”

“…We have demonstrated feasibility of using a multiband diffusion imaging sequence in the perinatal post mortem setting. This sequence allowed the acquisition of higher (isotropic) with gradient values of 0, 500, 1000 s/mm 3 (6,7,20). We also note that other published work often quotes ADC values, although it is frequently unclear whether a single direction or the average of three directions was measured.…”

“…Diffusion MRI is a non-invasive method that is exquisitely sensitive to water diffusion. Advanced diffusion image acquisition and processing aims to probe the cellular diffusion environment and may throw light on different processes occurring within the tissue (3)(4)(5), which in turn has the potential to be predictive of clinical factors relating to time from and cause of death (6)(7)(8).…”

Flexible proton density (PD) mapping using multi-contrast variable flip angle (VFA) data

“…Post-mortem experiment: post-mortem foetus Post-mortem MRI (PM-MRI) as part of minimally invasive autopsy is an increasingly important clinical application of MRI (Arthurs et al, 2015a;Arthurs et al, 2015b;Griffiths et al, 2005;Norman et al, 2016;Papadopoulou et al, 2016;Shelmerdine et al, 2017) where quantitative mapping could be useful e.g. in the determination of autolysis.…”

The use of whole body diffusion-weighted post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging in timing of perinatal deaths

“…Reports of PMMR imaging in the medical literature which have used DWI have shown that in the foetal brain (specifically the basal ganglia) [ 11 ] and lung [ 12 ] the ADC value changes are associated with PMI. Maceration was also found to affect ADC values in most areas of the foetal brain, but other body organs have not been comprehensively evaluated.…”