The effect of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on human muscle tissue visualized by post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT)

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine whether effects of repetitive freeze-thaw cycles, with various thawing temperatures, on human muscle tissue can be quantified using post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) technology. An additional objective was to determine the preferred thawing temperature for muscle tissue in this study.

MATERIALS & METHODS: Human cadaver upper extremities were divided into two different thawing temperature groups and underwent a series of four freeze-thaw cycles in total. Axial CT scans were performed after each cycle. CT attenuation (in Hounsfield units, HU) was measured in four muscles of the upper extremities.

RESULTS: HU values changed significantly with the introduction of each subsequent freeze-thaw cycle. Moreover, the changes in HU values were different for each thawing group. There was a significant increase of HU values in both groups between t₀ and t₁. Unfrozen tissue showed large variation of HU values in all samples.

CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to distinguish between samples thawed at different thawing temperatures based on their respective HU values. It is advisable to keep the number of freeze-thaw cycles to just one, if the human cadaveric tissue is to be used for educational purposes. The preferred thawing temperature in this study is 2°C. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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