The Utilization of Xeroradiography for Radiography of Cross-section of Thin Cadaveric Slices

Abstract

Although xeroradiography has had many medical applications, its utilization and the advantages it offers in the study of cadaveric sections has not previously been fully explored. It was our purpose to determine possible advantages or disadvantages this modality might have for this purpose. The edge enhancement which xeroradiography allows is a distinct advantage since the various anatomic structures become more clearly defined. On the other hand, the hollow viscera and the lumina of blood vessels are not enhanced, but rather blend with the walls of these “hollow” structures. Also, there is some loss of detail in the depiction of some of the glandular structures, such as the seminal vesicles. An artist's assistance to define these by comparison with the gross specimen gives us an optimum result. An x-ray enhanced image is thereby attained which exceeds the usual line drawing or artist's depiction of the cross-sectional specimen, and both can be similarly labeled for study.