Anatomic and MRI studies of cadaveric shoulders preserved by silicone plastilination

Several methods may be used to preserve gross anatomical specimens depending on the aims of preservation. We employed the method of silicone plastination to preserve fresh cadaveric shoulders, which were then submitted to MRI and subsequently cut in the 3 spatial planes to analyse the morphological characteristics of the multiple articular and periarticular structures and their anatomical relationships. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three shoulders obtained from fresh male cadavers aged 64 to 72 years were submitted to silicone plastination after removal en bloc by cutting vertically at the level of the middle portion of the clavicle and transversely just caudally to the bicipital groove. After the procedures of silicone plastination, dry, odourless and non- deformable specimens were obtained, which had conserved their original colour and the relationships between anatomical structures. MRI scanned slices were performed at 1 cm intervals, and images in the sagittal, coronal and axial planes were obtained for the 3 specimens. Each of the specimens was then cut at 1 cm intervals respectively, in the sagittal, coronal or axial plane. Slices were thus obtained, which corresponded to the MRI sections in each plane. The slices were studied to determine the morphometric characteristics of the various anatomical structures and the photograph of each slice was compared with the MRI image ofthe same slice. RESULTS: Anatomical analysis allowed us to determine the exact site of insertion of periarticular muscles, the detailed macroscopic morphology and the size of the respective tendons, the site and modality of insertion of the biceps tendon, the thickness of the glenoid labrum and its relationships with the articular capsule, and the course of nerves and vessels with respect to the other anatomical structures of surgical interest. Concomitant analysis of photographs of the slices and MRI images allowed the structures imaged by MRI to be clearly identified and compared with the morphometry ofthe anatomical structures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Morphometric studies of normal anatomic specimens in the three spatial planes are necessary to better identify the various structures of the shoulder and their reciprocal relationships and to better understand pathologies.