Mary Ellen Wickum MS, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Donald F. Siwek PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hernan Jara PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Patent holder, qMRI algorithms Research Grant, General Electric Company Royalties, World Scientific Publishing Co

Darryl R. Ricketts MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nadja Kadom MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kitt Shaffer MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the unknown internal integrity of an unprovenienced collection of fetal specimens housed for many decades by the University. There was no reliable information regarding the medical or curation histories of these specimens. The concern was that tissues could have shrunken due to fixation substances or other influences over time of storage. To determine if MR measurements compared to an anthropomorphic measurement of the feet could assess proportional tissue alteration in the specimens.  

Twenty-five specimens were arbitrarily selected from a total of forty-eight intact appearing specimens.  All specimens were imaged using a 3.0T whole body scanner (Achieva, Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands). A single investigator under supervision of a pediatric neuroradiologist obtained MR measurements of the cerebellar diameter (TCD) and femur length (FeL) using Osirix software. Foot measurements (FoL) were obtained using digital calipers. Two rounds of measurements were obtained for each structure to test reproducibility of measurements.

There was good intra-rater reliability because paired t-tests did not show significant differences between the rounds (two tailed α < 0.05). Analysis of correlation using Pearson’s correlation coefficient testing revealed strong positive correlation between TCD, FeL, and FoL measurements (α < 0.05, r - values were all > 0.91, p < 0.001, and R2 > 0.82.  

Our analysis shows a correlation of TCD, FeL, and FoL measurements. We show that a sampling of vital structures appears to be intact, without degradation or significant shrinkage. We conclude that in specimens with strong correlation of measurements, there is either no or proportionate tissue effects from chemical fixation. Further study of will yield more accurate gestational aging of these specimens.  

This study validates using this valuable historic collection for teaching normal fetal anatomy or rare abnormalities. It gives a strategy to access other anatomic collections for educational use.

Wickum, M, Siwek, D, Jara, H, Ricketts, D, Kadom, N, Shaffer, K, Correlating MRI and Anthropometric Measurements in Fixed Fetal Specimens.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14018287.html