Background. Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) is being increasingly implemented in forensic field and could be an adjuvant to classic autopsies. In this study we evaluated the feasibility of complementation of conventional autopsy in trauma victims with PMCT. Materials and methods. A total of 21 subjects, who had sustained various types of blunt high-energy trauma, were selected from the casuistry of the Section of Legal Medicine at University of Pisa: before autopsy, a PMCT examination (Toshiba Aquilion 16 CT scanner) was performed, and after the acquisition of the raw images, MPR and VR reconstructions were performed with dedicated software. Results. PMCT is more sensitive than conventional autopsy in detecting skeletal injuries, whilst autopsy constitutes the method of choice for the detection of thoracic and abdominal visceral injuries. Conclusion. PMCT should be considered a useful tool in addition to conventional autopsy in evaluating trauma victims: it detects further bone fractures in body parts difficult to investigate during autopsy (i.e. posterior regions), facilitating the pathologist in the reconstruction of events and in determining the cause of death.

Role of post mortem CT (PMCT) in high energy traumatic deaths / Di Paolo, M.; Maiese, A.; dell'Aquila, M.; Filomena, C.; Turco, S.; Giaconi, C.; Turillazzi, E.. - In: LA CLINICA TERAPEUTICA. - ISSN 0009-9074. - 171:6(2020), pp. E490-E500. [10.7417/CT.2020.2263]

Role of post mortem CT (PMCT) in high energy traumatic deaths

Maiese A.;dell'Aquila M.;
2020

Abstract

Background. Post Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) is being increasingly implemented in forensic field and could be an adjuvant to classic autopsies. In this study we evaluated the feasibility of complementation of conventional autopsy in trauma victims with PMCT. Materials and methods. A total of 21 subjects, who had sustained various types of blunt high-energy trauma, were selected from the casuistry of the Section of Legal Medicine at University of Pisa: before autopsy, a PMCT examination (Toshiba Aquilion 16 CT scanner) was performed, and after the acquisition of the raw images, MPR and VR reconstructions were performed with dedicated software. Results. PMCT is more sensitive than conventional autopsy in detecting skeletal injuries, whilst autopsy constitutes the method of choice for the detection of thoracic and abdominal visceral injuries. Conclusion. PMCT should be considered a useful tool in addition to conventional autopsy in evaluating trauma victims: it detects further bone fractures in body parts difficult to investigate during autopsy (i.e. posterior regions), facilitating the pathologist in the reconstruction of events and in determining the cause of death.
2020
autopsy; pmct; traumatic death; virtopsy; abdominal injuries; adolescent; adult; aged; aged, 80 and over; autopsy; bone and bones; female; forensic medicine; forensic pathology; histological techniques; humans; male; middle aged; tomography, x-ray computed; wounds, nonpenetrating; young adult
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Role of post mortem CT (PMCT) in high energy traumatic deaths / Di Paolo, M.; Maiese, A.; dell'Aquila, M.; Filomena, C.; Turco, S.; Giaconi, C.; Turillazzi, E.. - In: LA CLINICA TERAPEUTICA. - ISSN 0009-9074. - 171:6(2020), pp. E490-E500. [10.7417/CT.2020.2263]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1496633
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