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Hyperattenuating aortic wall on postmortem computed tomography (PMCT)
Seiji Shiotani1, Mototsugu Kohno, Noriyoshi Ohashi
1Department of Radiology, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.
Radiation Medicine
|September 26, 2002
Summary
Postmortem CT (PMCT) reveals a hyperattenuating aortic wall in 100% of cases, unlike living individuals. This finding is attributed to aortic wall contraction and blood changes post-resuscitation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Forensic Pathology
Background:
- Hyperattenuating aortic wall is a potential finding in postmortem imaging.
- Understanding its prevalence and causes is crucial for accurate interpretation of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively evaluate the incidence of hyperattenuating aortic wall on PMCT.
- To investigate the underlying causes of this imaging finding.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of 50 PMCT scans from non-traumatic deaths with 50 CT scans from living individuals.
- Visual assessment for hyperattenuating aortic wall and hematocrit effect.
- Measurement of aortic wall diameter, thickness, and CT numbers (HU) of the wall and lumen.
Main Results:
- Hyperattenuating aortic wall detected in 100% of PMCT cases versus 2% in living individuals.
- Significant differences in aortic wall diameter and CT numbers between PMCT and live CT.
- Hematocrit effect observed in 46% of PMCT cases.
Conclusions:
- Hyperattenuating aortic wall on PMCT is likely due to aortic wall contraction and lack of motion artifact.
- Decreased lumen attenuation in PMCT may result from blood dilution during resuscitation efforts.