Journal Published Online: 01 November 2003
Volume 48, Issue 6

Virtopsy—Postmortem Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in a Fatal Scuba Diving Incident

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The body of a 44-year-old scuba diver was examined using postmortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and findings were verified by subsequent autopsy. The goal was to find out whether the important pathomorphological findings for the reconstruction of events and the identification of cause and manner of death could be identified using modern digital cross-sectioning techniques. The findings of a massive vital decompression with pulmonary barotrauma and lethal gas embolism were identified in the radiological images. MSCT and MRI were superior to autopsy in the demonstration of the extent and distribution of gas accumulation in intraparenchymal blood vessels of internal organs as well as in areas of the body inaccessible by standard autopsy.

Author Information

Plattner, T
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland
Thali, MJ
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Berne, Switzerland
Yen, K
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland
Sonnenschein, M
Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Berne, Switzerland
Stoupis, C
Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Berne, Switzerland
Vock, P
Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Berne, Switzerland
Zwygart-Brugger, K
Uni versity of Berne, Switzerland
Kilchor, T
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland
Dirnhofer, R
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Berne, Switzerland
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS2003162
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003162