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Normal Pacinian corpuscles in the hand: radiology–pathology correlation in a cadaver study

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Abstract

Objective

To provide microdissection and histological confirmation of normal Pacinian corpuscles prospectively identified using MRI in a cadaver model.

Methods

3-T MRI of a cadaveric hand specimen was performed with fiduciary markers on the skin. Based on previous descriptions, subcutaneous nodules representing presumed Pacinian corpuscles were localized with respect to the skin markers, and their sizes and depths were recorded. Focused ultrasound was performed to attempt to visualize the corpuscles. Subsequent microdissection was then performed and the presence and location of Pacinian corpuscles were recorded and compared with the findings on MRI. Histological evaluation for each identified corpuscle was performed.

Results

The MRI demonstrated 11 T2-hyperintense palmar subcutaneous nodules around the second through fifth metacarpophalangeal joints. None was visible sonographically. The first eight were dissected and proved to be normal Pacinian corpuscles histologically. In sites devoid of subcutaneous nodules on MRI, subsequent dissection failed to reveal any corpuscles.

Conclusion

On MRI, normal Pacinian corpuscles appear as round or oval, T2-hyperintense subcutaneous nodules in the palms, clustered around the metacarpophalangeal joints, and should not be mistaken for pathological conditions.

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Acknowledgements

Terry D Regnier, Stephanie L Jacobson, Joseph P Grande.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Nicholas G. Rhodes & Naveen S. Murthy

  2. Departments of Anatomy and Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Nirusha Lachman

  3. Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 S Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA

    David A. Rubin

Authors
  1. Nicholas G. Rhodes
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  2. Naveen S. Murthy
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  3. Nirusha Lachman
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  4. David A. Rubin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicholas G. Rhodes.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This study was approved by the institutional review board of our institution and by the Biospecimen Subcommittee.

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Rhodes, N.G., Murthy, N.S., Lachman, N. et al. Normal Pacinian corpuscles in the hand: radiology–pathology correlation in a cadaver study. Skeletal Radiol 48, 1591–1597 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-019-03223-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-019-03223-y

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