Drowning--post-mortem imaging findings by computed tomography

Christe, Andreas; Aghayev, Emin; Jackowski, Christian; Thali, Michael J; Vock, Peter (2008). Drowning--post-mortem imaging findings by computed tomography. European radiology, 18(2), pp. 283-90. Berlin: Springer-Verlag 10.1007/s00330-007-0745-4

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The aim of this study was to identify the classic autopsy signs of drowning in post-mortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT). Therefore, the post-mortem pre-autopsy MSCT- findings of ten drowning cases were correlated with autopsy and statistically compared with the post-mortem MSCT of 20 non-drowning cases. Fluid in the airways was present in all drowning cases. Central aspiration in either the trachea or the main bronchi was usually observed. Consecutive bronchospasm caused emphysema aquosum. Sixty percent of drowning cases showed a mosaic pattern of the lung parenchyma due to regions of hypo- and hyperperfused lung areas of aspiration. The resorption of fresh water in the lung resulted in hypodensity of the blood representing haemodilution and possible heart failure. Swallowed water distended the stomach and duodenum; and inflow of water filled the paranasal sinuses (100%). All the typical findings of drowning, except Paltau's spots, were detected using post-mortem MSCT, and a good correlation of MSCT and autopsy was found. The advantage of MSCT was the direct detection of bronchospasm, haemodilution and water in the paranasal sinus, which is rather complicated or impossible at the classical autopsy.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

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

UniBE Contributor:

Christe, Andreas, Jackowski, Christian, Thali, Michael, Vock, Peter

ISSN:

0938-7994

ISBN:

17763853

Publisher:

Springer-Verlag

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:54

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:16

Publisher DOI:

10.1007/s00330-007-0745-4

PubMed ID:

17763853

Web of Science ID:

000252888500010

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.23060

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/23060 (FactScience: 38763)

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