USE OF COLOR PHOTOCOPYING MACHINE IN SURGICAL IMAGING

BACKGROUND: The photographic imaging of operative specimens is quite a puzzling procedure, especially in emergency situations and whenever a professional photographer is not available. A careful documentation o f the gross pathology therefore is not always possible, and this is de trimental for the full clinical information on the patient. We suggest an original, quick, simple, and inexpensive use of a regular color ph otocopying machine to produce a real time 1:1 and magnified picture of operative specimens, biopsies, etc. STUDY DESIGN: Fresh specimens rec overed from the operating room are quickly cut to obtain two hemisecti ons with planar surfaces. The blood is gently squeezed out and absorbe d from the specimen that is put on a transparent sheet of acetate. The specimen is covered by a polyurethane soft block, in order to obtain a better image. It is also possible to make enlargements to highlight interesting details or small structures (lymph nodes). RESULTS: We obt ain color photocopies of the gross specimen in real time at the end of the operative procedure. This is useful for the physicians involved i n diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Copies are made also for the p atient record. The specimen is then transferred unmodified to the path ology laboratory for routine analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Minoltype (R) is a quick, simple, inexpensive, and effective method for producing and re cording medical images. The cost of each photocopy is estimated to be one-third to one-fifth that of color photographs.