A practical guide to virtual autopsy: why, when and how

Publication date: Available online 27 October 2018Source: Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRIAuthor(s): Laura Filograna, Luca Pugliese, Massimo Muto, Doriana Tatulli, Giuseppe Guglielmi, Michael John Thali, Roberto FlorisAbstractPost-mortem imaging is considered a routine investigative modality in many forensic institutions worldwide. Because of its ability to provide a quick and complete documentation of skeletal system and major parenchymal alterations, post-mortem CT (PMCT) is the imaging technique most frequently applied in post-mortem forensic investigations.Also post-mortem MR (PMMR) has been implemented in post-mortem setting, but its use is mostly limited to focused analysis (e.g. study of the heart and brain).PMCT presents some limits in investigating "natural" deaths, particularly related to its poor ability in differentiating soft tissue interfaces and in depicting vascular lesions. For this reason, PMCT angiography has been introduced.A major limitation of these post-mortem imaging techniques is the absence of body samples for histopathological, toxicological or microbiological analysis. This limit has been overcome by the introduction of post-mortem percutaneous biopsies.The aim of this review is to provide a practical guide for virtual autopsy, with the intent of facilitating standardization and augmenting its quality. In particular, the indications of virtual autopsy as well protocols in PMCT examinations and its ancillary techniques will be discussed. Finally, ...
Source: Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI - Category: Radiology Source Type: research