Can computed tomography replace or supplement autopsy?

Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has been integrated into the practice of many forensic pathologists. To evaluate the utility of PMCT in supplementing and/or supplanting medicolegal autopsy, we conducted a prospective double-blind comparison of abnormal findings reported by the autopsy pathologist with those reported by a radiologist reviewing the PMCT. We reviewed 890 cases: 167 with blunt force injury (BFI), 63 with pediatric trauma (under 5 years), 203 firearm injuries, and 457 drug poisoning deaths.

Gouty Arthropathy: Review of Clinical Manifestations and Treatment, with Emphasis on Imaging.

Gout, a crystalline arthropathy caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the articular and periarticular soft tissues, is a frequent cause of painful arthropathy. Imaging has an important role in the initial evaluation as well as the treatment and follow up of gouty arthropathy. The imaging findings of gouty arthropathy on radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, dual energy computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging are described to include findings of the early, acute and chronic phases of gout.

Clinical Manifestations and Medical Imaging of Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Fetal Through Adulthood.

The aim of this paper is to describe the varying clinical and imaging manifestations of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) in the fetus, the child, and the adult. OI is a genetic disorder with mutation of Type 1 and non-type 1 collagen genes that results in disruption of multiple collagen based organ systems, most notably bones, often leading to "brittle bones". Additional features such as blue sclera, dentinogenesis imperfecta, joint and ligamentous hyperlaxity, hearing loss and cardiac defects may be present.

Comparative Evaluation of Potentially Radiolucent Projectile Components by Radiographs and Computed Tomography.

Projectile components that are traditionally radiolucent can be of considerable importance in determination of weapon type and caliber, but they are often missed on evaluation of postmortem radiographs. We hypothesized that these components would be significantly better visualized by evaluation of computed tomography (CT) scans compared to the practice standard of radiography alone. In this project, potentially radiolucent projectile components were both pulled apart and fired, and the radiolucent components were recovered.

Numerous fibrous papules of the face unassociated with any genodermatosis.

Numerous angiofibromas on the face are commonly associated with tuberous sclerosis or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. We present a healthy 66-year-old female with numerous facial angiofibromas, without evidence of tuberous sclerosis, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, or any of the less common syndromes associated with many angiofibromas on the face. To our knowledge, there have been no previously reported cases of patients with numerous facial angiofibromas who did not have an associated genodermatosis.