title: Targeted post-mortem computed tomography cardiac angiography: proof of concept.
abstract: With the increasing use and availability of multi-detector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in autopsy practice, there has been an international push towards the development of the so-called near virtual autopsy. However, currently, a significant obstacle to the consideration as to whether or not near virtual autopsies could one day replace the conventional invasive autopsy is the failure of post-mortem imaging to yield detailed information concerning the coronary arteries. To date, a cost-effective, practical solution to allow high throughput imaging has not been presented within the forensic literature. We present a proof of concept paper describing a simple, quick, cost-effective, manual, targeted in situ post-mortem cardiac angiography method using a minimally invasive approach, to be used with multi-detector computed tomography for high throughput cadaveric imaging which can be used in permanent or temporary mortuaries.
authors.affiliation: East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Level 3 Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK. ss548@le.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Vimal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: Claire E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Guy N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Rutty
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D002102:Cadaver; D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine