Systematic analysis of the radiologic findings of aortic dissections on unenhanced postmortem computed tomography.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic criteria and to identify the radiological signs (derived from known radiological signs) for the detection of aortic dissections using postmortem computed tomography (PMCT). Thirty-three aortic dissection cases were retrospectively evaluated; all underwent PMCT and autopsy. The images were initially evaluated independently by two readers and were subsequently evaluated in consensus. Known radiological signs, such as dislocated calcification and an intimomedial flap, were identified. The prevalence of the double sedimentation level in the true and false lumen of the dissected aorta was assessed and defined as a postmortem characteristic sign of aortic dissection. Dislocated calcification was detected in 85% of the cases with aortic calcification; whereas in 54% of the non-calcified aortas, the intimomedial flap could also be recognized. Double sedimentation was identified in 16/33 of the cases. Overall, in 76% (25/33) of the study cases, the described signs, which are indicative for aortic dissection, could be identified. In this study, three diagnostic criteria of aortic dissection were identified using non-enhanced PMCT images of autopsy-confirmed dissection cases.
Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland, garyfalia.ampanozi@virtopsy.com.
Garyfalia
G
Ampanozi
Patricia M
PM
Flach
Juergen
J
Fornaro
Steffen G
SG
Ross
Wolf
W
Schweitzer
Michael J
MJ
Thali
Thomas D
TD
Ruder
D001011:Aorta / Q000293:injuries*; D001027:Aortography; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging