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Post-mortem CT and MR brain imaging of putrefied corpses
J Tschui1, C Jackowski2, N Schwendener2
1Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland. joelle.tschui@usb.ch.
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|May 27, 2016
Summary
Post-mortem MRI neuroimaging effectively assesses brain morphology in putrefied corpses, even when liquefied. This advanced imaging technique should be considered when evaluating forensic autopsy cases involving decomposed brains.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Medical Imaging
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Brain putrefaction poses significant challenges for forensic pathologists.
- Decomposition can alter organs, hindering reliable autopsy findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the benefits of post-mortem MR neuroimaging in putrefied brains.
- To compare MR neuroimaging with post-mortem CT (PMCT) and autopsy findings.
Main Methods:
- Post-mortem MRI brain examinations were performed on 35 putrefied adult corpses.
- Whole-body CT scans preceded forensic autopsies.
- Imaging and autopsy data were compared for anatomical structures and pathological findings.
Main Results:
- Autopsy assessments of brain structures were frequently limited due to putrefaction.
- MR imaging enabled assessment of brain anatomy even in advanced decomposition stages.
- MR imaging identified two pathological findings missed by CT and autopsy.
Conclusions:
- Post-mortem MR imaging can assess brain morphology in liquefied brains.
- MR imaging is valuable when examining putrefied brains is critical for forensic autopsy cases.