Noninvasive estimation of organ weights by postmortem magnetic resonance imaging and multislice computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are introduced as an alternative to traditional autopsy. The purpose of this study was to investigate their accuracy in mass estimation of liver and spleen.


METHODS
In 44 cases, the weights of spleen and liver were estimated based on MRI and CT data using a volume-analysis software and a postmortem tissue-specific density factor. In a blinded approach, the results were compared with the weights noted at autopsy.


RESULTS
Excellent correlation between estimated and real weights (r = 0.997 for MRI, r = 0.997 for CT) was found. Putrefaction gas and venous air embolism led to an overestimation. Venous congestion and drowning caused higher estimated weights.


CONCLUSIONS
Postmortem weights of liver and spleen can accurately be assessed by nondestructive imaging. Multislice CT overcomes the limitation of putrefaction and venous air embolism by the possibility to exclude gas. Congestion seems to be even better assessed.
Jackowski
Christian
C
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Switzerland. christian.jackowski@irm.unibe.ch
Thali
Michael J
MJ
Buck
Ursula
U
Aghayev
Emin
E
Sonnenschein
Martin
M
Yen
Kathrin
K
Dirnhofer
Richard
R
Vock
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*