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Michaud K, Jacobsen C, Basso C, Banner J, Blokker BM, de Boer HH, Dedouit F, O'Donnell C, Giordano C, Magnin V, Grabherr S, Suvarna SK, Wozniak K, Parsons S, van der Wal AC. Application of postmortem imaging modalities in cases of sudden death due to cardiovascular diseases-current achievements and limitations from a pathology perspective : Endorsed by the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology and by the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging. Virchows Arch 2023; 482:385-406. [PMID: 36565335 PMCID: PMC9931788 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03458-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Postmortem imaging (PMI) is increasingly used in postmortem practice and is considered a potential alternative to a conventional autopsy, particularly in case of sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). In 2017, the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology (AECVP) published guidelines on how to perform an autopsy in such cases, which is still considered the gold standard, but the diagnostic value of PMI herein was not analyzed in detail. At present, significant progress has been made in the PMI diagnosis of acute ischemic heart disease, the most important cause of SCD, while the introduction of postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA) has improved the visualization of several parameters of coronary artery pathology that can support a diagnosis of SCD. Postmortem magnetic resonance (PMMR) allows the detection of acute myocardial injury-related edema. However, PMI has limitations when compared to clinical imaging, which severely impacts the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial injuries (ischemic versus non-ischemic), the age-dating of coronary occlusion (acute versus old), other potentially SCD-related cardiac lesions (e.g., the distinctive morphologies of cardiomyopathies), aortic diseases underlying dissection or rupture, or pulmonary embolism. In these instances, PMI cannot replace a histopathological examination for a final diagnosis. Emerging minimally invasive techniques at PMI such as image-guided biopsies of the myocardium or the aorta, provide promising results that warrant further investigations. The rapid developments in the field of postmortem imaging imply that the diagnosis of sudden death due to cardiovascular diseases will soon require detailed knowledge of both postmortem radiology and of pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Michaud
- University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne - Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Christina Jacobsen
- Section of Forensic Pathology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cristina Basso
- Cardiovascular Pathology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jytte Banner
- Section of Forensic Pathology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Hans H de Boer
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fabrice Dedouit
- GRAVIT, Groupe de Recherche en Autopsie Virtuelle et Imagerie Thanatologique, Forensic Department, University Hospital, Rangueil, Toulouse, France
| | - Chris O'Donnell
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Carla Giordano
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginie Magnin
- University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne - Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Geneva University Hospital, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silke Grabherr
- University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne - Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Geneva University Hospital, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - S Kim Suvarna
- Department of Histopathology, Northern General Hospital, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Krzysztof Wozniak
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Sarah Parsons
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Allard C van der Wal
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Filograna L, Manenti G, Ampanozi G, Calcagni A, Ryan CP, Floris R, Thali MJ. Potentials of post-mortem CT investigations during SARS-COV-2 pandemic: a narrative review. Radiol Med 2022; 127:383-390. [PMID: 35226246 PMCID: PMC8884096 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-022-01457-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In December 2019, a new coronavirus, SARS-COV-2, caused a cluster of cases of pneumonia in China, and rapidly spread across the globe. It was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11th, 2020. Virtual autopsy by post-mortem CT (PMCT) and its ancillary techniques are currently applied in post-mortem examinations as minimally or non-invasive techniques with promising results. In this narrative review, we speculate on the potentials of PMCT and its ancillary techniques, as a viable investigation technique for analysis of suspected or confirmed SARS-COV-2 deaths. An online literature search was performed by using three prefix search terms (postmortem, post-mortem, post mortem) individually combined with the suffix radiology, imaging, computed tomography, CT and with the search terms ‘SARS-CoV-2’ and ‘COVID-19’ to identify papers about PMCT and its ancillary techniques in SARS-COV-2 positive cadavers. PMCT findings suggestive for pulmonary COVID-19 in deceased positive SARS-COV-2 infection are reported in the literature. PMCT ancillary techniques were never applied in such cases. PMCT imaging of the lungs has been proposed as a pre-autopsy screening method for SARS-COV-2 infection. Further studies are needed to ascertain the value of PMCT in determining COVID-19 as the cause of death without autopsy histopathological confirmation. We advocate the application of PMCT techniques in the study of ascertained or suspected SARS-COV-2 infected deceased individuals as a screening technique and as a method of post-mortem investigation, to augment the numbers of case examined and significantly reducing infection risk for the operators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Filograna
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Fondazione PTV Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Lazio, IT, Italy.
| | - Guglielmo Manenti
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Fondazione PTV Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Lazio, IT, Italy
| | - Garyfalia Ampanozi
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonello Calcagni
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Fondazione PTV Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Lazio, IT, Italy
| | - Colleen Patricia Ryan
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Fondazione PTV Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Lazio, IT, Italy
| | - Roberto Floris
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Fondazione PTV Policlinico Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Lazio, IT, Italy
| | - Michael John Thali
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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3
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Investigating the Source of Fatal Pulmonary Thromboembolism in a Coronial Postmortem Population. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2022; 43:117-120. [PMID: 35102008 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The incidence of how often a deep vein thrombosis is found in the calves of the legs at coronial postmortem examination is unclear. This study retrospectively examined postmortem examination reports from Australian Coronial investigations of sudden death resulting from pulmonary thromboembolism to determine the likelihood of dissection of the deep veins of calves of the legs revealing the source of a pulmonary thromboembolism. From 450 cases taken from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) for 2016, the postmortem reports of 327 cases were reviewed to provide demographic details of victims of sudden death from pulmonary thromboembolism. In 235 cases, it was possible to determine in 76.6% a thrombus had been found in the deep veins of the calves of the legs after dissection. In 141 cases, it was documented that both sides had been examined. From these, it was determined there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of thrombus in either side. However, it was shown that the presence of an abnormality of a lower limb (such as leg or hip infection, burns, surgery and nonoperated fractures, or a larger circumference) increased the likelihood that a deep vein thrombus would be found on that side.
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Wang Y, Liu N, Yang M, Tian Z, Dong H, Lu Y, Zou D. Application and Prospect of Postmortem Imaging Technology in Forensic Cardiac Pathology: A Systemic Review. JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCE AND MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_129_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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Tian ZL, Wang ZQ, Liu NG, Wan L, Huang P, Li ZD, Zou DH, Dong HW, Zhang J, Zhang JH, Chen YJ. Pulmonary PMCT angiography by right ventricle cardiac puncture: a novel, promising approach for investigating pulmonary thromboembolism. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:913-920. [PMID: 33392657 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02476-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Forensic scholars are paying more attention to postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and PMCT angiography (PMCTA), which are gradually becoming effective and practical methods in forensic practice. However, few studies have focused on the application of PMCTA to cardiac ventricular puncture-especially of the right ventricle. In this article, we introduce a pulmonary PMCTA approach by right ventricle cardiac puncture and its potential value in fatalities from pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). The procedure was performed on 11 males and 6 females. PMCT was performed first; then a biopsy core needle was used for percutaneous puncture of the right ventricle under CT guidance. About 400 mL of contrast media was injected at a rate of 50 mL/8 s, followed by CT scanning. Visualization of the pulmonary artery contrast filling was complete in 9 cadavers, and the pulmonary arteries showed significant filling defects in 8 subjects. Unlike in clinical practice, the phenomenon of postmortem coagulation sometimes occurs in the vascular lumina after death. Therefore, the results of these 8 cases can only suggest or be highly suspicious of death from PTE. Then autopsy and histopathological examination confirmed that 4 of the above 8 patients were diagnosed with PTE; the remaining 4 had postmortem clot including chicken fat clot in the pulmonary artery. Pulmonary PMCTA approach is a simple, convenient, and effective method for the visualization of the pulmonary artery, which can be used as an effective auxiliary tool to identify PTE in forensic practice. It will also provide technical support to further investigate PTE imaging characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ling Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuo-Qun Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning-Guo Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Wan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Dong Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Hua Zou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - He-Wen Dong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Hua Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi-Jiu Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, 1347# West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, People's Republic of China.
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Herr N, Lombardo P, Jackowski C, Zech WD. Diagnosis of pulmonary infarction in post-mortem computed tomography and post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging-a technical note. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:1817-1821. [PMID: 32239316 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02273-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary thromboembolism may be accompanied by pulmonary infarction. Even though pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a frequently found cause of death at autopsy, pulmonary infarction accompanying PTE is a less common finding and may therefore easily be misinterpreted as infectious or cancerous lung disease. Appearance of pulmonary infarction in post-mortem imaging and acquisition parameters helping to identify pulmonary infarctions are not described yet. Based on a case of a 50-year-old man who died due to PTE and presented pulmonary infarction, we suggest using a pulmonary algorithm in post-mortem computed tomography combined with post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging of the lungs using conventional T1- and T2-weighted sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Herr
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Lombardo
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, University of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 10, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Jackowski
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wolf Dieter Zech
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
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Benzakoun J, Hmeydia G, Delabarde T, Hamza L, Meder JF, Ludes B, Mebazaa A. Excess out-of-hospital deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak: evidence of pulmonary embolism as a main determinant. Eur J Heart Fail 2020; 22:1046-1047. [PMID: 32463538 PMCID: PMC7283748 DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.1916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Benzakoun
- Service d'Imagerie Morphologique et Fonctionnelle, GHU Paris, Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR 1266, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Ghazi Hmeydia
- Service d'Imagerie Morphologique et Fonctionnelle, GHU Paris, Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR 1266, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Tania Delabarde
- Université de Paris, BABEL, CNRS, Paris, France.,Institut Médico-Légal de Paris, Paris, France.,Pôle Universitaire d'Imagerie Post-Mortem, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Lilia Hamza
- Institut Médico-Légal de Paris, Paris, France.,Pôle Universitaire d'Imagerie Post-Mortem, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Jean-François Meder
- Service d'Imagerie Morphologique et Fonctionnelle, GHU Paris, Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Anne, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR 1266, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Ludes
- Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Université de Paris, BABEL, CNRS, Paris, France.,Institut Médico-Légal de Paris, Paris, France.,Pôle Universitaire d'Imagerie Post-Mortem, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Mebazaa
- Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, AP-HP, Saint Louis Lariboisière University Hospitals; FHU PROMICE, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR-S 942, Paris, France
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9
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Ampanozi G, Halbheer D, Ebert LC, Thali MJ, Held U. Postmortem imaging findings and cause of death determination compared with autopsy: a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy and meta-analysis. Int J Legal Med 2019; 134:321-337. [PMID: 31455980 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02140-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT), postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMR) and PMCT angiography (PMCTA) compared with autopsy in cases of adult death investigations. METHODS For this systematic review and meta-analysis, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Medline were searched for eligible studies in October 2016; a follow-up literature search was conducted in March 2018. Studies referring to PMCT, PMCTA and/or PMMR of more than 3 cases with subsequent autopsy were included. Data were extracted from published texts in duplicate. The extracted outcomes were categorized as follows: soft tissue and organ findings, skeletal injuries, haemorrhages, abnormal gas accumulations and causes of death. The summary measure was sensitivity, if 3 or more studies were available. To combine studies, a random effects model was used. Variability and heterogeneity within the meta-analysis was assessed. RESULTS Of 1053 studies, 66 were eligible, encompassing a total of 4213 individuals. For soft tissue and organ findings, there was a high pooled sensitivity with PMCTA (0.91, 95% CI 0.81-0.96), without evidence for between-study variability (Cochrane's Q test p = 0.331, I2 = 24.5%). The pooled sensitivity of PMCT+PMMR was very high in skeletal injuries (0.97, CI 0.87-0.99), without evidence for variability (p = 0.857, I2 = 0.0%). In detecting haemorrhages, the pooled sensitivity for PMCT+PMMR was the highest (0.88, 95% CI 0.35-0.99), with strong evidence of heterogeneity (p < 0.05, I2 > 50%). Pooled sensitivity for the correct cause of death was the highest for PMCTA with 0.79 (95% CI 0.52-0.93), again with evidence of heterogeneity (p = 0.062, I2 > 50%). CONCLUSION Distinct postmortem imaging modalities can achieve high sensitivities for detecting various findings and causes of death. This knowledge should lead to a reasoned use of each modality. Both forensic evidence and in-hospital medical quality would be enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garyfalia Ampanozi
- Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Delaja Halbheer
- Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lars C Ebert
- Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael J Thali
- Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Held
- Horten Centre, University of Zurich, Pestalozzistrasse 24, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.,Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Department of Biostatistics, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Chatzaraki V, Heimer J, Thali M, Dally A, Schweitzer W. Role of PMCT as a triage tool between external inspection and full autopsy – Case series and review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jofri.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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11
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Harty MP, Harcke HT, Gould SW, Sukula-Perlman A. Pulmonary embolus as cause of death in an adolescent: demonstration on postmortem CT. Pediatr Radiol 2018; 48:745-748. [PMID: 29243077 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-017-4041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) is widely accepted in adult forensic death investigations (determination of cause and manner of death) but is only beginning to play a larger role in the cause of death determination in infants and children. We present a case of an adolescent with nephrotic syndrome who sustained cardiac arrest and died in the emergency department. A postmortem CT was requested by the state Office of the Medical Examiner as part of the medicolegal death investigation. Postmortem CT showed a saddle pulmonary embolus that was confirmed on conventional autopsy, demonstrating a natural manner of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary P Harty
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA.
| | - H Theodore Harcke
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Sharon W Gould
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
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12
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Chen Y. State of the art in post-mortem forensic imaging in China. Forensic Sci Res 2017; 2:75-84. [PMID: 30483623 PMCID: PMC6197115 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2017.1337501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The autopsy and histopathologic examination are traditional and classic approaches in forensic pathology. In recent years, with the tremendous progresses of computer technology and medical imaging technology, the developed post-mortem computer tomography, post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging and other new methods provide non-invasive, intuitive, high-precision examining methods and research tools for the forensic pathology. As a result, the reconstruction of the injury as well as the analysis of injury mechanism has been essentially achieved. Such methods have become popular in the research field of forensic science and related work has also been carried out in China. This paper reviews the development and application of abovementioned post-mortem forensic imaging methods in China based on the relevant literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijiu Chen
- Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, PRC, Shanghai, China
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13
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Accuracy of non-contrast PMCT for determining cause of death. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2017; 13:284-292. [PMID: 28616810 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-017-9878-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was (1) to compare levels of accuracy regarding the categorization of causes of death between non-contrast post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and the final forensic report as well as between autopsy and the final forensic report, and (2) to assess levels of confidence regarding the categorization of causes of death after non-contrast PMCT and after autopsy. This prospective study was conducted over a 5 month period during which 221 cases were admitted to our institute for forensic investigations. Whole-body PMCT and forensic autopsy were performed in every case. Of these, 101 cases were included in the final study population. Inclusion criteria were: (1) age > 18 years, (2) presence of at least one of the two principal investigators at the time of admission. One radiologist and one forensic pathologist independently read all PMCT datasets using a report template. Cause of death category and confidence levels were determined by consensus. Forensic autopsy was performed by two forensic pathologists; both unblinded to imaging results. Both post-imaging and post-autopsy cause of death categorization were compared against the final cause of death, as stated in the forensic expert report, which included findings from histology and/or toxicology. Accuracy of post-imaging cause of death categorization in reference to the final cause of death category was substantial (82%, 83/101 cases, Kappa 0.752). Accuracy of post-autopsy cause of death categorization in reference to the final cause of death category was near perfect (89%, 90/101 cases, Kappa 0.852). Post-imaging sensitivity and specificity regarding the categorization of causes of death were 82% and 97%, respectively. Post-autopsy sensitivity and specificity regarding the categorization of causes of death were 89% and 98%, respectively. There was a high consistency between the accuracy of post-imaging cause of death categorization and post-imaging levels of confidence. There was less consistency between accuracy of post-autopsy cause of death categorization and post-autopsy levels of confidence. In this study categorization of causes of death based on non-contrast enhanced PMCT alone, and on PMCT and macroscopic autopsy together, proved to be consistent with the final cause of death-category as determined based on all available information including PMCT, autopsy, and (if available) histology and/or toxicology in more than 82% and 89% of all cases, respectively. There was higher consistency between levels of confidence and accuracy of causes of death categorization was higher post-imaging than post-autopsy. These results underline the fact that the diagnostic potential of PMCT goes beyond the assessment of trauma cases.
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