Postmortem Computed Tomography and Computed Tomography Angiography: Cardiothoracic Imaging Applications in Forensic Medicine. 2019

Heon Lee, and Sookyoung Lee, and Jang Gyu Cha, and Taehwa Baek, and Kyung-Moo Yang
Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Bucheon.

With the introduction of modern imaging technology into the forensic field, postmortem imaging, particularly postmortem computed tomography (PMCT), has gained increasing importance in forensic investigations of deaths. In recent years, PMCT, which aims to provide observer-independent, reproducible forensic assessment in a minimally invasive manner, has been incorporated into routine forensic practice in many medicolegal institutions worldwide as a complement to autopsy. To address questions with regard to vascular pathologies, postmortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) has been developed and has become a useful tool for exploring the vascular system. Currently, these techniques play roles in screening for potential pathologies for later autopsy confirmation, facilitating focused dissection of the target area, and visualizing lesions that would be difficult or impossible to detect during autopsy. Adequate image interpretation requires knowledge and understanding of postmortem changes in the body and artefacts related to PMCT and PMCTA. This article reviews the PMCT and PMCTA techniques in terms of their indications, applications, advantages, and limitations for cardiothoracic applications. Our findings will enhance readers' understanding of emerging CT techniques in forensic radiology.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002423 Cause of Death Factors which produce cessation of all vital bodily functions. They can be analyzed from an epidemiologic viewpoint. Causes of Death,Death Cause,Death Causes
D005554 Forensic Medicine The application of medical knowledge to questions of law. Legal Medicine,Medicine, Forensic,Medicine, Legal
D006321 Heart The hollow, muscular organ that maintains the circulation of the blood. Hearts
D006335 Heart Injuries General or unspecified injuries to the heart. Cardiac Rupture, Traumatic,Heart Rupture, Traumatic,Injuries, Heart,Cardiac Ruptures, Traumatic,Heart Injury,Heart Ruptures, Traumatic,Injury, Heart,Rupture, Traumatic Cardiac,Rupture, Traumatic Heart,Ruptures, Traumatic Cardiac,Ruptures, Traumatic Heart,Traumatic Cardiac Rupture,Traumatic Cardiac Ruptures,Traumatic Heart Rupture,Traumatic Heart Ruptures
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072226 Computed Tomography Angiography A non-invasive method that uses a CT scanner for capturing images of blood vessels and tissues. A CONTRAST MATERIAL is injected, which helps produce detailed images that aid in diagnosing VASCULAR DISEASES. Angiography, CT,Angiography, Computed Tomography,CT Angiography,Angiographies, CT,Angiographies, Computed Tomography,CT Angiographies,Computed Tomography Angiographies,Tomography Angiographies, Computed,Tomography Angiography, Computed
D001344 Autopsy Postmortem examination of the body. Autopsies,Post-Mortem Examination,Postmortem Examination,Examination, Post-Mortem,Examination, Postmortem,Examinations, Post-Mortem,Examinations, Postmortem,Post Mortem Examination,Post-Mortem Examinations,Postmortem Examinations
D013898 Thoracic Injuries General or unspecified injuries to the chest area. Chest Injuries,Injuries, Chest,Injuries, Thoracic,Chest Injury,Injury, Chest,Injury, Thoracic,Thoracic Injury
D013902 Radiography, Thoracic X-ray visualization of the chest and organs of the thoracic cavity. It is not restricted to visualization of the lungs. Thoracic Radiography,Radiographies, Thoracic,Thoracic Radiographies
D014057 Tomography, X-Ray Computed Tomography using x-ray transmission and a computer algorithm to reconstruct the image. CAT Scan, X-Ray,CT Scan, X-Ray,Cine-CT,Computerized Tomography, X-Ray,Electron Beam Computed Tomography,Tomodensitometry,Tomography, Transmission Computed,X-Ray Tomography, Computed,CAT Scan, X Ray,CT X Ray,Computed Tomography, X-Ray,Computed X Ray Tomography,Computerized Tomography, X Ray,Electron Beam Tomography,Tomography, X Ray Computed,Tomography, X-Ray Computer Assisted,Tomography, X-Ray Computerized,Tomography, X-Ray Computerized Axial,Tomography, Xray Computed,X Ray Computerized Tomography,X Ray Tomography, Computed,X-Ray Computer Assisted Tomography,X-Ray Computerized Axial Tomography,Beam Tomography, Electron,CAT Scans, X-Ray,CT Scan, X Ray,CT Scans, X-Ray,CT X Rays,Cine CT,Computed Tomography, Transmission,Computed Tomography, X Ray,Computed Tomography, Xray,Computed X-Ray Tomography,Scan, X-Ray CAT,Scan, X-Ray CT,Scans, X-Ray CAT,Scans, X-Ray CT,Tomographies, Computed X-Ray,Tomography, Computed X-Ray,Tomography, Electron Beam,Tomography, X Ray Computer Assisted,Tomography, X Ray Computerized,Tomography, X Ray Computerized Axial,Transmission Computed Tomography,X Ray Computer Assisted Tomography,X Ray Computerized Axial Tomography,X Ray, CT,X Rays, CT,X-Ray CAT Scan,X-Ray CAT Scans,X-Ray CT Scan,X-Ray CT Scans,X-Ray Computed Tomography,X-Ray Computerized Tomography,Xray Computed Tomography

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