Blood aspiration as a vital sign detected by postmortem computed tomography imaging

Filograna, Laura; Ross, Steffen; Bolliger, Stephan; Germerott, Tanja; Preiss, Ulrich; Flach, Patricia M; Thali, Michael (2011). Blood aspiration as a vital sign detected by postmortem computed tomography imaging. Journal of forensic sciences, 56(3), pp. 630-7. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01704.x

Full text not available from this repository.

Blood aspiration is a significant forensic finding. In this study, we examined the value of postmortem computed tomography (CT) imaging in evaluating findings of blood aspiration. We selected 37 cases with autopsy evidence of blood in the lungs and/or in the airways previously submitted to total-body CT scanning. The CT-images were retrospectively analyzed. In one case with pulmonary blood aspiration, biopsy specimens were obtained under CT guide for histological examination. In six cases, CT detected pulmonary abnormalities suggestive of blood aspiration, not mentioned in the autopsy reports. CT reconstructions provided additional data about the distribution and extent of aspiration. In one needle-biopsied case, the pulmonary specimens showed blood in the alveoli. We suggest the use of CT imaging as a tool complementary to traditional techniques in cases of blood aspiration to avoid misdiagnosis, to guide the investigation of lung tissue, and to allow for more evidence-based inferences on the cause of death.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine > Forensic Medicine 04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine 04 Faculty of Medicine > Service Sector > Institute of Legal Medicine > Forensic Imaging 04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine (DRNN) > Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology
UniBE Contributor:	Filograna, Laura, Ross, Steffen, Bolliger, Stephan, Germerott, Tanja, Preiss, Ulrich, Flach, Patricia, Thali, Michael
ISSN:	0022-1198
Publisher:	Wiley
Language:	English
Submitter:	Factscience Import
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2013 14:10
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2022 14:01
Publisher DOI:	10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01704.x
PubMed ID:	21361932
Web of Science ID:	000289892900010
URI:	https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/1680 (FactScience: 203557)