Assessment of eyeball findings on two sequential post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) : no reliable marker for...

It is important to understand post-mortem changes in post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) image interpretation. Only a few studies have focused on the eyeballs. This study aimed to clarify the changes in eyeball findings on PMCT and examine whether it is possible to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI) based on this findings.

During a 13-year period, data from 29 consecutive patients who underwent CT scans twice (the first CT taken at the time of death in our hospital: time from confirmation of death from - 4 h 15 min to 2 h 17 min, and the second CT taken prior to autopsy in our forensic facility: from 15 h 27 min to 196 h 32 min) were analyzed after excluding performing first CT scans during the return of spontaneous circulation, under 2 years of age and periorbital damage due to trauma. The maximum longitudinal diameter, lens position, and vitreous radiodensities were measured. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis. The correlation between the changes in each measurement value and the elapsed time of the two scans was examined using regression analysis.

In the second scan, the maximum longitudinal diameter was significantly reduced (p < 0.0001), and the vitreous radiodensities significantly increased (p < 0.0001). There was no significant change in the distance from the cornea to the lens. However, no correlation was found between any of the findings and the elapsed time.

With early post-mortem changes, the maximum longitudinal diameter decreased, whereas the vitreous radiodensities increased. It was nevertheless not possible to estimate PMI based on these findings.