Comparative CT-Based Assessment of Segmentation Accuracy and Volumetric Variability in Scaphoids from Frozen and Thawed Cadaver Arms for Scaphoid Prosthesis Modeling

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Cadavers for research purposes are often stored deep frozen. To avoid repeated thawing and freezing, which could affect tissue quality, we investigated the feasibility of using a frozen and thawed cadaver wrist to model a scaphoid for a patient-specific prosthesis. We also assessed the accuracy of different segmentation methods which are necessary to smoothen the surface of the model.Methods computed tomography (CT) scans of a frozen and thawed wrist were made. The tightly and smoothened segmented scaphoids were compared. The frozen and thawed scaphoid models were registered, and volume differences were calculated.Results No statistical differences in volumes were detected between the segmented frozen and thawed scaphoid models. The size of the scaphoid model remained consistent between the tightly and smoothened segmented versions.Conclusion There are no significant volume differences between frozen and thawed scaphoid bones. With regards to size, it is feasible and accurate to model a smoothened scaphoid for a patient-specific scaphoid prosthesis from a frozen cadaver arm which matches the one of the thawed wrist.