Full-Spectrum Photography in Cadaveric Surgical Neuroanatomy: Anatomical Nuances Beyond the Naked Eye.

Abstract

Anatomical dissection is a fundamental part of surgical education, but it can be challenging to visualize the subtle details of anatomy. Full-spectrum photography (FSP) is a technique that uses cameras that can capture light in a wider range of wavelengths compared to traditional cameras. This technical laboratory note introduces a method using noncontrast-dependent FSP to improve the visualization of neuroanatomical structures during cadaveric dissection for surgical neuroanatomy. The techniques described below were employed to routinely capture anatomical images in the Skull Base and Cerebrovascular Laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco from February 2022 to August 2024, when capturing anatomical exposures of 20 specimens. We used 3 different full-spectrum modalities: 720-nm infrared, ultraviolet (UV) reflectance, and UV fluorescence and a modified mirror-less camera without hot mirror. The application of FSP yielded high-clarity images across various imaging modalities, each enhancing specific anatomical structures. Infrared 720-nm images showed the general smooth texture of the surface structure of the cadaver, UV reflectance, and fluorescence provided an enhancement of calcified structures, nerve fibers, microvascular components, and melanin. Combining these techniques with other imaging modalities, such as visible imaging and photogrammetry, proved to be both straightforward and feasible. FSP offers a valuable enhancement to anatomical dissections and education. It provides a noninvasive means to characterize anatomical structures with greater clarity, highlighting features that may be challenging to observe with the naked eye or standard visible-light photography.