title: Virtual autopsy in hanging.
abstract: The aim of the study was to compare postmortem computed tomographic (CT) imaging findings from a case of hanging with the autopsy findings. The CT showed a good match with autopsy findings especially for bone, soft tissue, and spinal injuries. The CT images of the injuries of the neck obtained by CT scan clearly showed the ligature mark, the hemorrhagic suffusion in the soft tissue (thickening of derma) and in the muscles (sternocleidomastoid) of the neck. Furthermore, CT 3-dimensional reconstruction showed brain edema, fracture of the left posterior horn of the hyoid bone, and a grade 1 retrolisthesis of C5 on C6. This last finding was not detected by autopsy because of the anterior approach that is frequently used in necropsy technique. Nevertheless, the CT virtual autopsy did not show vascular findings (like Amussat mark) because a barium mixture was not injected in the body.
authors: Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical School, Catholic University, USA.
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Polacco
authors: Pasquale
authors: P
authors: D'Alessio
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Ausania
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Zobel
authors: Vincenzo Lorenzo
authors: VL
authors: Pascali
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: d'Aloja
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Miscusi
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: De-Giorgio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology*; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000473:pathology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000473:pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000473:pathology; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed