J Tschui1, C Jackowski2, N Schwendener2, C Schyma2, W D Zech2. 1. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland. joelle.tschui@usb.ch. 2. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Putrefaction of the brain is a challenge to a forensic pathologist because it may lead to considerable organ alterations and restrict documenting reliable autopsy findings. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to present a new and systematic evaluation of possible benefits of post-mortem MR Neuroimaging (1.5 Tesla, sequences: T1w, T2w) in putrefied corpses in comparison to PMCT and autopsy. METHODS: A post-mortem MRI brain examination was conducted on 35 adult, putrefied corpses after performing a whole body CT scan prior to a forensic autopsy. Imaging data and autopsy findings were compared with regard to brain symmetry, gray and white matter junction, ventricular system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, brain stem, and possible pathological findings. RESULTS: At autopsy, a reliable assessment of the anatomical brain structures was often restricted. MR imaging offered an assessment of the anatomical brain structures, even at advanced stages of putrefaction. In two cases, MR imaging revealed pathological findings that were detectable neither by CT scans nor at autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Post-mortem MR imaging of putrefied brains offers the possibility to assess brain morphology, even if the brain is liquefied. Post-mortem MR imaging of the brain should be considered if the assessment of a putrefied brain is crucial to the evaluation of a forensic autopsy case.
INTRODUCTION: Putrefaction of the brain is a challenge to a forensic pathologist because it may lead to considerable organ alterations and restrict documenting reliable autopsy findings. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to present a new and systematic evaluation of possible benefits of post-mortem MR Neuroimaging (1.5 Tesla, sequences: T1w, T2w) in putrefied corpses in comparison to PMCT and autopsy. METHODS: A post-mortem MRI brain examination was conducted on 35 adult, putrefied corpses after performing a whole body CT scan prior to a forensic autopsy. Imaging data and autopsy findings were compared with regard to brain symmetry, gray and white matter junction, ventricular system, basal ganglia, cerebellum, brain stem, and possible pathological findings. RESULTS: At autopsy, a reliable assessment of the anatomical brain structures was often restricted. MR imaging offered an assessment of the anatomical brain structures, even at advanced stages of putrefaction. In two cases, MR imaging revealed pathological findings that were detectable neither by CT scans nor at autopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Post-mortem MR imaging of putrefied brains offers the possibility to assess brain morphology, even if the brain is liquefied. Post-mortem MR imaging of the brain should be considered if the assessment of a putrefied brain is crucial to the evaluation of a forensic autopsy case.
Authors: Garyfalia Ampanozi; Thomas D Ruder; Ulrich Preiss; Kerstin Aschenbroich; Tanja Germerott; Laura Filograna; Michael J Thali Journal: Leg Med (Tokyo) Date: 2010-05-21 Impact factor: 1.376
Authors: Kathrin Yen; Karl-Olof Lövblad; Eva Scheurer; Christoph Ozdoba; Michael J Thali; Emin Aghayev; Christian Jackowski; Javier Anon; Nathalie Frickey; Karin Zwygart; Joachim Weis; Richard Dirnhofer Journal: Forensic Sci Int Date: 2007-02-28 Impact factor: 2.395
Authors: Klaus Schmierer; Claudia A M Wheeler-Kingshott; Daniel J Tozer; Phil A Boulby; Harold G Parkes; Tarek A Yousry; Francesco Scaravilli; Gareth J Barker; Paul S Tofts; David H Miller Journal: Magn Reson Med Date: 2008-02 Impact factor: 4.668