title: Search and removal of radioactive seeds: another application of postmortem computed tomography prior to autopsy.
abstract: We herein introduce 3 cases illustrating a new application for pre-autopsy postmortem computed tomography (PMCT). In all 3 cases, there was insufficient background information about the victims provided to the forensic pathologists' department. PMCT showed metallic particles in the prostate gland, an indication of metallic seeds containing radioactive isotopes. In 2 of 3 cases, migrated seeds were also detected by CT imaging in the lungs and the heart. Also in 2 of 3 cases, authorities reinvestigated the victim's history before autopsy was completed, which resulted in following appropriate procedure for dealing with the seeds. Although all 3 cadavers were cremated after autopsy, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) discourages cremation for deaths soon after radioactive seeds implantation to prevent air pollution by radioactive isotopes in the ash. Our opinion from the present cases is that pre-autopsy PMCT can be recommended for use by forensic pathologists and guidelines for investigating deaths after permanent brachytherapy should include how to deal with cadavers when medical history is limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan. ymakino-tky@umin.ac.jp.|Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan. ymakino-tky@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yohsuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Makino
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kaijicho, Kamigyo, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
authors.forename: Nozomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Idota
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kaijicho, Kamigyo, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ikegaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1, Ikenobe, Kita, Miki, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1, Ikenobe, Kita, Miki, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Ayumi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Motomura
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chiba University Hospital, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uno
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.|Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirotaro
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwase
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes
keywords: Brachytherapy; Cremation; Iodine-125 seed; Postmortem CT; Radioactive seed migration