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International Journal of Legal Medicine

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Open Access 01-07-2020 | Computed Tomography | Original Article

Added value of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) to clinical findings for cause of death determination in adult “natural deaths”

Authors: M. E. M. Vester, R. R. van Rijn, W. L. J. M. Duijst, L. F. M. Beenen, M. Clerkx, R. J. Oostra

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 4/2020

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate whether post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) provides additional information regarding the cause of death and underlying diseases in a general practitioners’ (GP), out-of-hospital population.

Methods and materials

Bodies donated to our anatomy department between January 2014 and January 2018, who consecutively underwent a total body PMCT and had given permission for retrieval of their medical records during life, were included. PMCT scans were assessed by a radiologist and compared with the cause of death as stated in the medical records. Discrepancies were analyzed with an adjusted Goldman classification.

Results

Ninety-three out of the 274 scanned donors during the inclusion period had given consent for the retrieval of their medical records, of which 79 GP’s responded to the request thereof (31 men, 48 women, average age 72.8 years, range 36–99). PMCT identified 49 (62%) cases of cancer, 10 (12.7%) cardiovascular diseases, 8 (10.1%) severe organ failures, 5 (6.3%) cases with signs of pneumonia, 2 (2.5%) other causes, and 7 (8.9%) cases without an (underlying) definitive cause of death. Eleven major discrepancies on the Goldman classification scale, with possible relevance to survival between PMCT and GP records, were identified.

Conclusion

PMCT can have added value for the detection of additional findings regarding the cause of death in an out-of-hospital, GP’s population, especially to identify or exclude major (previously non-diagnosed) underlying diseases.

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Title: Added value of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) to clinical findings for cause of death determination in adult “natural deaths”
Authors: M. E. M. Vester
R. R. van Rijn
W. L. J. M. Duijst
L. F. M. Beenen
M. Clerkx
R. J. Oostra
Publication date: 01-07-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Computed Tomography
Autopsy
Computed Tomography
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-02219-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Added value of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) to clinical findings for cause of death determination in adult “natural deaths”

Abstract

Purpose

Methods and materials

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods and materials

Results

Conclusion

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