title: False positive aortic dissection on postmortem computed tomography.
abstract: Post-mortem CT-scan (PMCT) has become increasingly useful as a diagnostic tool. However, certain normal postmortem changes may mimic the appearance of pathologic findings. We report two cases of false positive aortic dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-contrast PMCT was performed on a sixty-four-detector row scanner. Each PMCT examination was assessed and reported by two independent radiologists. Autopsies were performed according European recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In two corpses, a false positive DeBakey type I aortic dissection was detected. Autopsies confirmed that CT findings were artifactual. For each case the cause of the mistake was individually discussed and mainly based on the abnormalities observed during the autopsy. In fact, in our series (750 PMCT) a true aortic dissection was detected in two corpses during the same period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When a PMCT is performed, false positive aortic dissection can occur, which confirms the interest in combining opacification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Rouen University Hospital-Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France. Electronic address: isabelle.leblanc@chu-rouen.fr.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Le Blanc-Louvry
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Rouen University Hospital-Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thureau
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Rouen University Hospital-Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ledoux
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Rouen University Hospital-Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mogdad
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Rouen University Hospital-Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lagroy
authors.affiliation: Radiological Department, Rouen University Hospital-Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Jean Nicolas
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Dacher
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Rouen University Hospital-Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tournel
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000293:injuries*; D001027:Aortography; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006406:Hematoma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000473:pathology; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Aortic dissection; Diagnostic error; Forensic radiology; Postmortem computed tomography