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International Journal of Legal Medicine

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01-01-2018 | Original Article

Postmortem MR diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver: time-behavior of the hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient in the early death interval

Authors: Sarah Keller, Tony M. Schmidt, Anne Catherine Kim, Roland Fischer, Axel Heinemann, Gerhard Adam, Jin Yamamura

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study is to assess postmortem changes of the hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) at multiple time points in the time interval of 16 hours postmortem in comparison to in vivo controls and to literature data.

Material and methods

Hepatic diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was repeatedly performed at 1.5 Tesla (b values 50, 400, and 800 s/mm²) in 2-hourly steps within 16 hours postmortem in 19 cases (male to female 13:6, mean age 68.5 ± 12.2 years) and 5 in vivo controls. The core body temperature was measured rectally prior to every scan. Mean ADC values were calculated from regions of interest (ROIs) and compared to in vivo healthy controls and to literature data of normal liver parenchyma. Spearman rank correlation and Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm were used to assess a relationship between postmortem core body temperature and ADC values.

Results

Mean hepatic ADC values were significantly lower in postmortem cases than in in vivo controls (52.0 ± 15.0 · 10⁻⁵ mm²/s vs. 111.0 ± 15.7 · 10⁻⁵ mm²/s, p < 0.0001). The ex vivo liver ADC correlated inversely to calculated liver temperature (−3.5 ± 0.8) · 10⁻⁵ mm²/s/°C, r = −0.44, p < 0.0001. At low calculated liver temperature (< 30 °C), the ADC described an average increase of (22 ± 10) · 10⁻⁵ mm²/s/°C.

Conclusion

Hepatic ADC values show a characteristic change in the immediate 16 hours postmortem, which is influenced by the postmortem liver temperature change. With the knowledge of characteristic postmortem liver changes, diffusion-weighted imaging could be added to conventional postmortem MRI for virtual autopsy.

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Title: Postmortem MR diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver: time-behavior of the hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient in the early death interval
Authors: Sarah Keller
Tony M. Schmidt
Anne Catherine Kim
Roland Fischer
Axel Heinemann
Gerhard Adam
Jin Yamamura
Publication date: 01-01-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1685-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Postmortem MR diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver: time-behavior of the hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient in the early death interval

Abstract

Objective

Material and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Material and methods

Results

Conclusion

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