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Intravoxel incoherent motion of postmortem in-situ human brains: Insights and forensic implications
Melanie Bauer1, Celine Berger2, Andrea Zirn2
1Institute of Forensic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Institute of Forensic Medicine, Health Department Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract:
Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) distinguishes different diffusion processes based on varying molecular velocities. While IVIM is used in-vivo, postmortem studies are lacking, although they could provide valuable insights and validate in-vivo results. In this study, postmortem in-situ brain MRI scans of 13 deceased subjects were performed by applying a diffusion-weighted single-shot-echo-planar imaging sequence with 16 b-values (0-2500 s/mm2). The IVIM parameters perfusion fraction (f), diffusion (D), pseudo-diffusion (D*) and kurtosis (K) were determined in segmented white matter, cerebral cortex and deep gray matter. D was additionally corrected for temperature. All parameters were correlated with forehead and core temperature, postmortem interval (PMI), age at death and brain edema presence. Furthermore, differences of IVIM parameters between cases of fatal intoxication and other causes of deaths were analyzed. Postmortem f, D and D* were lower than in-vivo, while f in deep gray matter and K in all regions were higher. f did not level to 0 %. Forehead and core temperatures and PMI revealed statistically significant correlations with D. K correlated significantly with forehead temperature in deep gray matter, core temperature in cerebral cortex and PMI in white and deep gray matter. A significant difference was found in D* when comparing fatal intoxication cases with those with other causes of death. In conclusion, postmortem IVIM parameters differ from in-vivo values and are influenced by temperature and PMI. In the future, D* might enable noninvasive detection of intoxication as the cause of death.
Insights
Postmortem Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) MRI reveals differences in diffusion parameters compared to live subjects. Temperature and postmortem interval significantly influence these findings, with potential for detecting intoxication.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Forensic Medicine
- Biophysics
Background:
- Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI analyzes molecular diffusion and perfusion in tissues.
- Current IVIM applications are primarily in vivo; postmortem studies are scarce but valuable for validation.
- Understanding postmortem IVIM parameters can offer insights into tissue changes after death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate postmortem IVIM parameters in the human brain.
- To correlate IVIM parameters with temperature, postmortem interval (PMI), and age.
- To explore the potential of IVIM in identifying cause of death, specifically intoxication.
Main Methods:
- Postmortem in-situ brain MRI was performed on 13 deceased subjects.
- A diffusion-weighted single-shot-echo-planar imaging sequence with 16 b-values was used.
- IVIM parameters (f, D, D*, K) were calculated and correlated with physiological and postmortem factors.
Main Results:
- Postmortem IVIM parameters (f, D, D*) were generally lower than in vivo values, with exceptions in deep gray matter (f) and all regions (K).
- Temperature and PMI showed significant correlations with diffusion (D) and kurtosis (K) parameters.
- Pseudo-diffusion (D*) differed significantly between fatal intoxication cases and other causes of death.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem IVIM parameters are distinct from in vivo measurements and are influenced by temperature and PMI.
- The pseudo-diffusion (D*) parameter shows promise for non-invasive detection of intoxication as a cause of death.
- Further research can validate postmortem IVIM for forensic applications and in vivo result interpretation.
