3D C-arm as an alternative modality to CT in postmortem imaging: technical feasibility.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to demonstrate the image quality of the new device using human cadavers, extending the horizon of available imaging modalities in forensic medicine.


METHODS
Six human cadavers were examined, revealing C-arm data sets of the head, neck thorax, abdomen and pelvis. High-resolution mode was performed with 500 fluoroscopy shots during a 190 degrees orbital movement with a constant tube voltage of 100 kV and a current of 4.6 mA. Based on these data sets subsequent three-dimensional reconstructions were generated.


RESULTS
Reconstructed data sets revealed high-resolution images of all skeletal structures in a near-CT quality. The same image quality was available in all reconstruction planes. Artefacts caused by restorative dental materials are less accentuated in CBCT data sets. The system configuration was not powerful enough to generate sufficient images of intracranial structures.


CONCLUSIONS
After the here-demonstrated encouraging preliminary results, the forensic indications that would be suitable for imaging with a 3D C-arm have to be defined. Promising seems the visualization local limited region of interest as the cervical spine or the facial skeleton.
Pohlenz
Philipp
P
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Blessmann
Marco
M
Oesterhelweg
Lars
L
Habermann
Christan R
CR
Begemann
Philipp G C
PG
Schmidgunst
Christian
C
Blake
Felix
F
Schulze
Dirk
D
Püschel
Klaus
K
Schmelzle
Rainer
R
Heiland
Max
M
D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002102:Cadaver; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging