Use of water-soluble dye in embalmed anatomical donor vascular mold silicone injection

The simple, rapid, and inexpensive mold silicone infusion technique is recognized by neuroanatomical laboratories. This study optimized the dye-staining step of the mold silicone perfusion technique and explored the optimal method for staining mold silicone. Vascular perfusion was performed in six embalmed anatomical donor heads. Three were perfused using the conventional technique with fat-soluble-dyed mold silicone, and the other three using the rapid-curing technique with water-soluble-dyed mold silicone. The three specimens perfused with fat-soluble-dyed silicone showed dye extravasation and staining of the brain tissue and/or cranial nerves, which became more severe over time. The three specimens perfused with water-soluble-dyed silicone showed good vascular filling, bright colors, and clear contrast, without staining of the brain tissue or cranial nerves. Rapid-curing perfusion of the anatomical donor head vessels with water-soluble-dyed mold silicone clearly displays the arteries and veins with bright colors and sharp contrast and does not stain the brain tissue or cranial nerves. This technique is therefore suitable for neuroanatomy teaching and experiments.