Un‐embalmed Cadaveric Computed Tomography Imaging for Use in Undergraduate Anatomy Education

Abstract

Many UK medical schools use full‐body dissection in anatomy education for undergraduate medical training; by imaging the same cadaver as is going to be dissected, it is possible to directly integrate clinical radiology and anatomy to enhance the student learning experience. The embalming process, necessary for specimen preservation, causes significant degradation of computed tomography scan images when compared to ‘in vivo’ scans, therefore imaging must be performed on a pre‐embalmed specimen. An 87‐year old, male donor was obtained by way of the London Anatomy Office (LAO) body donation scheme; this was the first locally available donor which met our inclusion criteria and where appropriate consent had been given. The donor was transported from the local (<50 miles) funeral directors to the Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre at the university. A whole body CT scan was performed <48 hours post‐mortem using a SIEMENS Biograph 64‐slice scanner; a 0.6mm slice thickness was used on a 0.45 mm pitch. The cadaver was immediately transported by the undertakers to the LAO for embalming and subsequently returned to the research university's anatomy laboratory, where it was placed in secure storage in preparation for teaching. The quality of images produced was at a very high level and will enhance the integration of gross anatomy and imaging.