Postmortem computed tomography evaluation of fatal gas embolismdue to connection of an intravenous cannula to an oxygen supply

Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) is becoming common in the practice of forensic medicine [1,2]. Imaging methods have revolutionized not only forensic diagnosis but also the documentation of evidence that can be applicable in court proceedings [3]. In addition, PMCT is a superior tool for finding air within the body, such as pneumothorax and gas embolism of the heart and great vessels [4,5]. Traditional invasive autopsy may miss a cardiac gas embolus unless the conventional autopsy techniques are employed.

Source: Legal Medicine - May 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Yoichiro Takahashi, Rie Sano, Akiyuki Yasuda, Eri Kuboya, Keiko Takahashi, Rieko Kubo, Yoshihiko Kominato, Hiroyuki Takei, Susumu Kobayashi, Takehiro Shimada, Sachiko Awata, Hiroyuki Tokue, Satoshi Hirasawa Tags: Case Report Source Type: research