title: Differentiation of ante-mortem and post-mortem fractures with MRI: a case report.
abstract: We describe a case of a fatal speed flying accident in which the victim was electrocuted, burned and fell from a great height. Post-mortem imaging revealed acute appearing fractures on CT, without bone marrow oedema on MRI. Based on the known clinical imaging findings of bone marrow oedema in acute fractures, we concluded that the speed flyer died from electrocution rather than the fall and that the fractures occurred post-mortem. Radiological imaging augmented the reconstruction of the peri-mortem events. Further research is needed to assess whether bone marrow oedema in acute fractures is a reliable vital sign.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Forensic Imaging and Virtopsy, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Ruder
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Germerott
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thali
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Hatch
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D001344:Autopsy; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult