[Value of postmortem computed tomography in comparison to autopsy].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the diagnostic value of postmortem computed tomography (CT) in comparison to autopsy.


METHODS
Twenty-seven cadavers were examined by sequential cranial CT and helical CT through the neck, thorax and abdomen and subsequently underwent an autopsy with histomorphologic examination of the pathologic specimens. The findings of CT, autopsy and histology were registered and compared by three radiologists and one specialist for forensic medicine, using a data entry form.


RESULTS
In 19 of 27 cases, the findings explaining the cause of death were concordant for CT and autopsy. Intracranial, intraspinal and intracardiac gas accumulations (n = 12) were registered by CT alone. The detection of skull fractures was equal for both methods (n = 3). CT showed diagnostic problems in the assessment of pneumonic infiltrations (n = 16) and pulmonary edema (n = 21).


CONCLUSIONS
CT is a useful and complementary method to autopsy.
Paperno
S
S
Klinik und Poliklinik für Radiologische Diagnostik, Universität zu KöIn. spaperno@smail.rrz.uni-koeln.de
Riepert
T
T
Krug
B
B
Rothschild
M A
MA
Schultes
A
A
Staak
M
M
Lackner
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D002102:Cadaver; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed