Head and Brain Postmortem Computed Tomography-Autopsy Correlation in Hospital Deaths

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Radiology
• Neuropathology

Background:

• Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) use has grown, with considerations for its role as an alternative to conventional autopsy.
• The diagnostic capabilities of PMCT in examining head and brain pathologies require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of PMCT in identifying specific pathological findings in the head and brain of individuals who died from natural causes in a hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of noncontrast PMCT scans and autopsy data from 31 deceased individuals.
• Independent review of PMCT images by a neuroradiologist and autopsy by pathologists, with awareness of radiology findings.

Main Results:

• PMCT successfully detected most significant space-occupying lesions in the head and brain.
• The technology revealed findings often difficult to discern during autopsy but sometimes provided misleading or difficult-to-interpret results.
• PMCT identified changes potentially attributable to postmortem processes.

Conclusions:

• Postmortem CT is a valuable adjunct to traditional autopsy for detecting head and brain pathologies.
• PMCT should not be considered a substitute for conventional postmortem examination due to interpretation challenges and potential for misleading findings.