[Postmortem roentgen diagnosis of the skull]

In this prospective study, skulls of 164 dead bodies were x-rayed in two different planes. The findings were assessed independent to the results of the subsequent autopsy, however afterwards compared with the autopsy findings. In 86 cases (53.4%) x-ray findings were significant. Dislocated calvarium fractures were clearly visible on the x-rays, however non-dislocated calvarium fractures as well as fractures of the visceral cranium and skull base were difficult to detect. Gas and foreign bodies could easily be observed. Similar to the clinical assessment the indication for a post-mortem x-ray of the skull must consider the case history and the respective condition of the corpse (for example putrefaction, charred body).