Racking the brain: detection of cerebral edema on postmortem computed tomography compared with forensic autopsy

Berger, Nicole; Ampanozi, Garyfalia; Schweitzer, Wolf; Ross, Steffen G; Gascho, Dominic; Ruder, Thomas; Thali, Michael J; Flach, Patricia M (2015). Racking the brain: detection of cerebral edema on postmortem computed tomography compared with forensic autopsy. European journal of radiology, 84(4), pp. 643-651. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.12.014

[img] Text
1-s2.0-S0720048X15000030-main.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to registered users only
Available under License Publisher holds Copyright.

Download (1MB) | Request a copy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare postmortem computed tomography with forensic autopsy regarding their diagnostic reliability of differentiating between pre-existing cerebral edema and physiological postmortem brain swelling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study collective included a total of 109 cases (n=109/200, 83 male, 26 female, mean age: 53.2 years) and were retrospectively evaluated for the following parameters (as related to the distinct age groups and causes of death): tonsillar herniation, the width of the outer and inner cerebrospinal fluid spaces and the radiodensity measurements (in Hounsfield Units) of the gray and white matter. The results were compared with the findings of subsequent autopsies as the gold standard for diagnosing cerebral edema. p-Values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Cerebellar edema (despite normal postmortem swelling) can be reliably assessed using postmortem computed tomography and is indicated by narrowed temporal horns and symmetrical herniation of the cerebellar tonsils (p<0.001). There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between intoxication (or asphyxia) and all other causes of death; the former causes demonstrated higher deviations of the attenuation between white and gray matter (>20 Hounsfield Units), and the gray to white matter ratio was >1.58 when leukoencephalopathy was excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite normal postmortem changes, generalized brain edema can be differentiated on postmortem computed tomography, and white and gray matter Hounsfield measurements help to determine the cause of death in cases of intoxication or asphyxia. Racking the brain about feasible applications for a precise and reliable brain diagnostic forensic radiology method has just begun.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine (DRNN) > Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Paediatric Radiology

UniBE Contributor:

Ruder, Thomas

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health

ISSN:

0720-048X

Publisher:

Elsevier

Language:

English

Submitter:

Aisha Stefania Mzinga

Date Deposited:

21 Mar 2016 10:25

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:52

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.12.014

PubMed ID:

25604908

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Cerebral edema; Forensic radiology; Intoxication; Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT); Virtopsy

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.77231

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/77231

Actions (login required)

Edit item Edit item
Provide Feedback