Diagnostic value of multiphase postmortem computed tomography angiography in selected cases of blunt traumatic deaths.

Objectives: Recently, multiphase postmortem computed tomography angiography (MPMCTA) has been proven as a reliable tool in the diagnosis of vascular pathology, while its potential efficiency in the detection of soft tissue lesions is ignored. In this study, we have evaluated the overall diagnostic value of MPMCTA in the diagnosis of blunt traumatic deaths in selected cases to determine its additional advantages and limitations in order to identify its potential applications.

Methods: This prospective study examined 14 decedents presented to the Department of Legal Medicine of Hamburg University that alleged death due to blunt trauma.

Postmortem CT Angiography Compared with Autopsy: A Forensic Multicenter Study.

Purpose To determine if postmortem computed tomography (CT) and postmortem CT angiography help to detect more lesions than autopsy in postmortem examinations, to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each method, and to define their indications. Materials and Methods Postmortem CT angiography was performed on 500 human corpses and followed by conventional autopsy. Nine centers were involved.

Pulmonary cement embolism is not associated with the cause of death in a post-mortem cohort of cement-augmented interventions in the spine.

Purpose: Complications of cement-augmented interventions (e.g., kyphoplasty) in the spine include local cement leakage and pulmonary cement embolisms (PCE).

Allegations of maltreatment in custody.

Background: Maltreatment in custody overlaps with torture. Concerned governments avoid informing. These governments withhold information and try to impose definitions.

Evaluation of post-mortem lateral cerebral ventricle changes using sequential scans during post-mortem computed tomography.

In the present study, we evaluated post-mortem lateral cerebral ventricle (LCV) changes using computed tomography (CT). Subsequent periodical CT scans termed "sequential scans" were obtained for three cadavers. The first scan was performed immediately after the body was transferred from the emergency room to the institute of legal medicine.

Investigation of medical intervention with fatal outcome: the impact of post-mortem CT and CT angiography.

Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) has been proven for its appropriateness to become an integral part of routine pre-autoptic forensic investigations either in the field of forensic investigation of fatal medical error or in hospital quality management. The autoptic investigation of unexpected and peri-interventional deaths can be usefully guided by post-mortem imaging which offers significant added value in the documentation of misplacement of medical devices before dissection with the risk of artificial relocation and the detection of iatrogenic air embolism. Post-mortem CT angiography (PMCTA) augments PMCT in the search for sources of hemorrhages and for the documentation of vascular patency and unimpaired perfusion after general and cardiovascular surgery or transvascular catheter-assisted interventions.

Evaluation of thymic volume by postmortem computed tomography.

The thymus is exceedingly sensitive to stress and undergoes abrupt involution as a result of exposure to strong stress in early childhood. Therefore, thymic involution is often utilized to assess the presence of a stressful environment, such as an environment involving child abuse, in forensic medicine. In recent years, computed tomography (CT) has been commonly used in the daily practice of forensic medicine.

Post-mortem computed tomography and post-mortem computed tomography angiography following transcatheter aortic valve implantation†.

Objectives: At present, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is widely used. As with any interventional treatment, however, TAVI may also be accompanied by complications and may result in periprocedural mortality. This study aims to evaluate such complications and causes of death after TAVI.

Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and PMCT-angiography after transvascular cardiac interventions.

Background And Purpose: During the last years, Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) has become an integral part of the autopsy. PMCT-angiography may augment PMCT. Both exams have proven their value in visualizing complications after heart surgery.

Virtual autopsy with multiphase postmortem computed tomographic angiography versus traditional medical autopsy to investigate unexpected deaths of hospitalized patients: a cohort study.

Background: "Virtual" autopsy by postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) can replace medical autopsy to a certain extent but has limitations for cardiovascular diseases. These limitations might be overcome by adding multiphase PMCT angiography.

Objective: To compare virtual autopsy by multiphase PMCT angiography with medical autopsy.

Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and PMCT-angiography after cardiac surgery. Possibilities and limits.

Background: PMCT is a well-known tool of the forensic pathologist. It is employed worldwide. PMCT-angiography offers additional insights.

Criminal gunshot wound and iatrogenic tension pneumothorax detected by post-mortem computed tomography.

Post-mortem imaging at autopsy is gradually increasing in popularity among forensic practitioners. The objective of the present paper was to demonstrate that it is essential to survey the cadaver using computed tomography (CT) before autopsy. This case report presents an iatrogenic tension pneumothorax caused by left subclavian vein puncture undertaken during treatment for a gunshot-related wound.

[Suffocation due to foreign body aspiration visualized by post-mortem CT].

The aspiration of a foreign body is a high-risk event in the life of an infant or toddler, which needs fast clinical diagnosis and therapy. If the respiratory tract is massively obstructed, the aspiration can be fatal, as shown in the case of an 18-month-old child. The little boy choked on a fragment of a hazelnut shell.

Deletions in PITX1 cause a spectrum of lower-limb malformations including mirror-image polydactyly.

PITX1 is a bicoid-related homeodomain transcription factor implicated in vertebrate hindlimb development. Recently, mutations in PITX1 have been associated with autosomal-dominant clubfoot. In addition, one affected individual showed a polydactyly and right-sided tibial hemimelia.

Virtual autopsy as an alternative to traditional medical autopsy in the intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Autopsy is an important educational and quality-control tool in the intensive care unit (ICU), but rates of traditional medical autopsies have declined worldwide. "Virtual" autopsy involving only advanced radiographic techniques might provide an alternative approach to postmortem examinations.

Objective: To assess the value of postmortem multidetector computed tomography as an alternative to medical autopsy.

[Detection of drug transport using X-ray techniques].

The purpose of the paper was to show X-ray techniques used to discover drugs transported inside the body (body packers), on the body surface, in the garments or luggage, in goods and vehicles. The analysis was based on the X-ray findings of 141 body packers caught in Hamburg between 1989 and 2004 as well as individual cases from personal collections. The use of X-rays for border and security checks is described, different technical concepts are demonstrated and examples are given, e.

The invisible sentry : Radiological imaging in terror and terror prevention.

Radiological imaging may enable the recognition and documentation of acts of terror. Search by X-rays can assist in the detection of weapons, drugs, contraband, and hidden persons. Fluoroscopy, backscatter imaging, and computed tomography are being employed for the evaluation of luggage, humans, trucks, and containers.