The development and validation of micro-CT of large deep frozen specimens.

Repetitive freeze/thaw cycles lead to a progressive loss of structural and molecular integrity in deep frozen specimens. The aim of this study was to evaluate a micro-CT stage, which maintains the cryoconservation of large specimens throughout micro-CT imaging. Deep frozen ovine vertebral segments (-20 °C) were fixed in a micro-CT stage made of expanded polystyrene and cooled with dry ice (0 g, 60 g and 120 g).