Open AccessMagnetic Resonance Imaging and Histopathological Visualization of Human Dural Lymphatic Vessels
Author(s) -
Sungji Ha,
Govind Nair,
Martina Absinta,
Nicholas J. Luciano,
Daniel S. Reich
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
bio-protocol
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2331-8325
DOI - 10.21769/bioprotoc.2819
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , magnetic resonance imaging , ex vivo , dura mater , immunostaining , medicine , magnetic resonance angiography , pathology , in vivo , anatomy , radiology , immunohistochemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
In this protocol, we describe a method to visualize and map dural lymphatic vessels in-vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ex-vivo using histopathological techniques. While MRI protocols for routine imaging of meningeal lymphatics include contrast-enhanced T2-FLAIR and T1- weighted black-blood imaging, a more specific 3D mapping of the lymphatic system can be obtained by administering two distinct gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents on different days (gadofosveset and gadobutrol) and subsequently processing images acquired before and after administration of each type of contrast. In addition, we introduce methods for optimal immunostaining of lymphatic and blood vessel markers in human dura mater ex-vivo .