title: A fatal case of electrocution with unique forensic radiological postmortem findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Documentation of forensic radiological observations in postmortem imaging of electrical injuries is not common yet and is less prevalent compared to other forms of burn injuries. However, electrical injuries have high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this case report was the visualization and evaluation of unique electrocution-related injuries by postmortem contrast and non-contrast enhanced imaging compared to a forensic autopsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forensic imaging included whole-body postmortem computed tomography (PMCT), PMCT-angiography (PMCTA), postmortem magnetic resonance tomography (PMMR), and PMMR-angiography (PMMRA). Initial external inspection and subsequent autopsy were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Imaging results revealed intestinal mucosal pathologies, particularly of the gastric vascular integrity and remarkable rhabdomyolysis of the striated muscles of the extremities. Furthermore, PMCT and PMCTA revealed a hepatic lesion with perihepatic free fluid. The results from external inspection and autopsy correlated to the well-known pathologies of electrocution in the course of a high-voltage incident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postmortem imaging visualized electrocution-related injuries and aided substantially in the medico-legal investigation. These findings, particularly of the rhabdomyolysis in magnetic resonance tomography, may support the future image interpretation of cases with electrical injuries-in the living and the deceased.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland. rilana_baumeister@hotmail.de.
authors.forename: Rilana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baumeister
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mauf
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laberke
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anais
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krupp
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thali
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Medicine and Imaging, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Flach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000473:pathology; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
keywords: Angiography; Electricity; Forensic imaging; PMCT; PMMR; Rhabdomyolysis