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International Journal of Legal Medicine

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01-11-2014 | Original Article

Greater thickness of the aortic wall on postmortem computed tomography compared with antemortem computed tomography: the first longitudinal study

Authors: Hidemi Okuma, Wataru Gonoi, Masanori Ishida, Yukako Shintani, Yutaka Takazawa, Masashi Fukayama, Kuni Ohtomo

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 6/2014

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate postmortem changes of the aorta on postmortem computed tomography (CT) in comparison with those on antemortem CT obtained in the same patients.

Materials and Methods

We studied 57 consecutive patients who had undergone antemortem CT, postmortem CT, and pathological autopsy in our tertiary care hospital between April 2009 and December 2010. Postmortem CT was performed within 20 h after death, followed by pathological autopsy. Pathological autopsy confirmed the absence of cardiovascular disease such as aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or Marfan syndrome in all patients. Aortic wall thickness and aortic cross-sectional areas were measured on both antemortem CT and postmortem CT. Difference in aortic wall thickness between antemortem CT with and without contrast medium, and between antemortem CT and postmortem CT, and in cross-sectional area of the aortic wall between antemortem CT and postmortem CT was evaluated statistically.

Results

No significant difference in aortic wall thickness was observed on antemortem CT in comparison of contrasted and non-contrasted images. The aortic wall was significantly thicker on postmortem CT than on antemortem CT (p < 0.0001). No significant difference in cross-sectional area of the aortic wall was observed between antemortem CT and postmortem CT measurements.

Conclusion

This is the first longitudinal study to confirm greater thickness of the aortic wall on postmortem images compared with antemortem images in the same patients and to show no change in cross-sectional area of the aortic wall between before and after death.

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Title: Greater thickness of the aortic wall on postmortem computed tomography compared with antemortem computed tomography: the first longitudinal study
Authors: Hidemi Okuma
Wataru Gonoi
Masanori Ishida
Yukako Shintani
Yutaka Takazawa
Masashi Fukayama
Kuni Ohtomo
Publication date: 01-11-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-013-0955-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Greater thickness of the aortic wall on postmortem computed tomography compared with antemortem computed tomography: the first longitudinal study

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

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