The common pattern of postmortem changes on whole body CT scans

Publication date: Available online 10 November 2015 Source:Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging Author(s): W.M. Klein, T. Kunz, K. Hermans, A.R. Bayat, D.H.J.L.M. Koopmanschap The postmortem changes on postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) seem to have a regular pattern over time. Studying these changes could lead to a better understanding of postmortem physiology and to differentiate between normal and pathological aspects. We studied the patterns and aspects of the postmortem changes and made correlations to the postmortem interval (PMI). Five deceased bodies (4M, 1F; mean age 79 years; 2 cancer, 3 unknown cause of death) that were donated to science underwent total body PMCT scanning every hour, starting 6–10h and up to 36h after death. The bodies stayed on the scanner table during the whole scanning period, in supine position without moving. We measured Hounsfield units (HU) of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vitreous humor (VH) and lungs. Volumes of lung, liver and bowel were calculated with semi-automated software. We made correlations to the PMI. We made timelapse movies to visualize the postmortem changes. We found increasing radiodensities of VH and CSF in correlation to the PMI. Pulmonary radiodensity and volume could show both increase or decrease over time. Liver volume decreased and bowel volume increased over time. The timelapse movies visualized these normal postmortem processes in the body. We conclude that postmortem changes on PMCT show p...
Source: Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research