Computed tomography and cryomicrotomy of lumbar spine specimens. A new technique for multiplanar anatomic correlation.

To produce undistorted anatomic material accurately correlating with multiplanar computed tomograms of the lumbar spine, frozen cadaver specimens were embedded in well-defined positions and examined in a high resolution CT scanner in axial, coronal, sagittal and oblique projections and subsequently sectioned through in the same plane on a heavy-duty cryomicrotome. Photography of the slightly thawed surface of the specimens at cutting-height intervals corresponding to the feed of the scanner rendered anatomic images in natural colours and with excellent detail resolution. The accurate coincidence of the plane of cryosectioning with the plane of the computed tomography (CT) permits a detailed morphologic evaluation of CT scans in different projections.