A quick-solidifying, coloured silicone mixture for injecting into brains for autopsy: technical report

Abstract

The injection of cadaver brains is invaluable for anatomic study, but cadavers that have been properly handled are not easy to obtain. A large number of cadavers pass through forensic departments around the world, and these cadavers could provide hundreds of research specimens, though they remain in the forensic unit for only a short time. The injection of a silicone mixture that quickly solidifies during autopsy would provide greater numbers of fresh specimens for study. The authors describe a technique for injecting a self-curing silicone mixture that can be used on autopsy specimens in a forensic unit. This technique does not interfere with routine autopsy findings. We describe the preparation of the mixture and autopsy specimens, the injection process, and the method for removing injected brains from cadavers. The solidifying process took a 1-h duration in this injection method and was in accord with autopsy procedure. The arterial bed was satisfactorily filled, and even small perforating branches and pial anastomoses were well demonstrated. Injecting autopsy specimens with the quick-solidifying silicone mixture allows anatomical studies of specimens even from cadavers admitted to forensic departments for only a short time. This method can provide neurosurgery laboratories with sufficient numbers of specimens appropriate for various studies.

The perforating branches of the P1 segment of the posterior cerebral artery

“…The arteries of six brains were perfused with colored silicone using our technique. 11 The remaining eight brains were studied fresh, immediately after autopsy. None of the cadavers had a history of trauma and all were dead due to non-neurological/neurovascular causes (mean postmortem interval to autopsy, 9 ± 2 hours).…”

Casting Materials and their Application in Research and Teaching

“…The dosage of the hardener affects polymerization times and hence injection times. Kaya et al (2006) describe a method where the mixture of silicone rubber and catalyst hardens within 1 h, which proved to be particularly useful in forensic departments since casting and autopsy procedures could be undertaken simultaneously.…”

A novel, quick-prepared, colored silicone mixture for injecting into cerebral vasculature for neuroanatomical dissections: an anatomical technical note

“…Staining vascular structures consists of a series of phases, each one of which shall be individually addressed below and should be taken into account. Although plenty of anatomical dissection studies are available in the literature, studies that present detailed technical information, particularly regarding the staining procedure and the earlier preparation process, are rather few in number (2,4).…”

“…Preparation of head cadavers for anatomical dissection is time-consuming, troublesome and sometimes annoying. However, it is an exciting opportunity for educational purposes for both junior and senior neurosurgeons (2)(3)(4). Anatomical specimens such as head cadavers may not be difficult to obtain, but a satisfactory vascular staining is not easy during initial attempts of the preparing and injecting process.…”