Perinatal post mortem ultrasound (PMUS): a practical approach

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pediatric Pathology
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Declining consent rates for perinatal autopsies necessitate alternative investigation methods.
• Postmortem imaging, particularly ultrasound, is gaining traction as a non-invasive approach.
• Existing research primarily focuses on CT and MRI, with limited guidance on ultrasound.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the utility of perinatal postmortem ultrasound (PMUS) as a non-invasive autopsy alternative.
• To provide guidance on PMUS techniques, preparation, and interpretation.
• To discuss common findings and differentiate normal postmortem changes from pathology.

Main Methods:

• Focus on ultrasound imaging techniques for perinatal deaths.
• Exploration of practical considerations for conducting PMUS.
• Review of case examples to illustrate diagnostic capabilities.

Main Results:

• Postmortem ultrasound demonstrates reasonable diagnostic accuracy for perinatal deaths.
• PMUS is more accessible and affordable than CT or MRI.
• Guidance on image acquisition and interpretation is currently limited.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal postmortem ultrasound is a valuable non-invasive tool for investigating infant mortality.
• Standardized protocols and further research are needed to optimize PMUS application.
• PMUS can supplement or replace traditional autopsy in specific scenarios.