Combined 7-T MRI and histopathologic study of normal and dysplastic samples from patients with TLE

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the abnormalities of cortical lamination observed in temporal lobe specimens obtained during surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with hippocampal sclerosis. Specifically, we aimed to 1) correlate high-field ex vivo MRI with histopathologic analysis and 2) evaluate the effect of tissue fixation on image contrast. Methods: A cohort of 13 specimens was considered. T2-weighted imaging and relaxometry were performed during and after fixation using a 7-T experimental scanner. After imaging, the specimens were studied with histopathologic (Black Gold myelin fiber staining) and immunohistochemical (NeuN neuronal staining) methods in order to explore the correspondence between MRI and histopathologic features.