Current status of paediatric post-mortem imaging: an ESPR questionnaire-based survey

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pediatric Radiology
• Forensic Imaging

Background:

• Post-mortem imaging, including radiography, CT, and MRI, is gaining traction as a less invasive autopsy method.
• There is a growing need for standardized clinical guidelines for post-mortem imaging, especially for cross-sectional techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey the current practices of post-mortem imaging among European Society of Pediatric Radiology (ESPR) members.
• To understand the scope of services, techniques, and protocols in pediatric post-mortem imaging.

Main Methods:

• An online questionnaire was distributed to ESPR members in January 2013.
• The survey gathered data on imaging services, patient populations, techniques, protocols, and future involvement.

Main Results:

• 71% of responding centers perform pediatric post-mortem imaging, with radiography (81%), CT (51%), and MRI (38%) being common.
• Imaging is typically conducted in radiology departments by radiographers and reported by radiologists, often pediatric radiologists.
• Standardized protocols are common for radiography (72%) but less so for CT (32%) and MRI (27%).

Conclusions:

• Most centers offer some form of pediatric post-mortem imaging, usually within imaging departments and reported by pediatric radiologists.
• Significant variability exists in imaging populations and service details, indicating a lack of standardization.
• There is a clear interest among respondents in developing this field further.