EXplanted LIver and ex vivo Pancreatic Specimen Evaluation (EXLIPSE) by 7-Tesla MRI: a prospective radiological-pathological correlation study

The study focused on radiological-pathological correlation between imaging of ex vivo samples obtained by a 7-T scanner and histological examination. The specimens were derived from native explanted cirrhotic livers, liver grafts excluded from donation because of severe steatosis, and primary pancreatic tumours. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed within 24 h from liver or pancreatic lesion surgical removal. The MRI protocol included morphological sequences, quantitative T1, T2, and fat-, water-fraction maps with Cartesian k-space acquisition, and multiparametric methods based on a transient-state “MRI fingerprinting”. Finally, the specimen was fixed by formalin. Qualitative imaging analysis was performed by two independent blinded radiologists to assess image consistency score. Quantitative analysis was performed by drawing regions of interest on different tissue zones to measure T1 and T2 relaxation times as well as fat- and water-fraction. The same tissue areas were analysed by the pathologists. This study provided the possibility to improve our knowledge about qualitative and quantitative abdominal imaging assessment at 7 T, by correlating imaging characteristics and the corresponding histological composition of ex vivo specimens, in order to identify imaging biomarkers. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: 13646. Registered 9 July 2019—retrospectively registered