Micro-CT for the differentiation between live birth and stillbirth: A pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Medical Imaging
• Pathology

Background:

• The distinction between live birth and stillbirth is critical for legal proceedings.
• The traditional lung flotation test has reliability concerns.
• Accurate determination of pulmonary aeration is essential in forensic pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of postmortem micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for differentiating aerated and nonaerated lungs.
• To assess micro-CT's potential as a reliable tool in forensic investigations.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study was conducted using formalin-fixed lung samples from two groups: aerated (Group 1) and nonaerated (Group 2).
• Samples were scanned using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).
• Gas volume percentage (GV%) was calculated for each sample to quantify aeration.

Main Results:

• Aerated lungs (Group 1) exhibited a mean gas volume percentage (GV%) of 9.52 ± 6.77.
• Nonaerated lungs (Group 2) showed a significantly lower mean GV% of 0.58 ± 0.66.
• Micro-CT successfully differentiated between aerated and nonaerated lung samples both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Conclusions:

• Postmortem micro-CT is a feasible and effective method for detecting pulmonary aeration.
• This imaging technique offers a potentially valuable tool for forensic investigations, including cases of suspected neonaticide, feticide, and intrauterine fetal demise.
• Micro-CT may provide a more reliable alternative to traditional methods like the lung flotation test.