Top

Published in:

01-09-2013 | Case Report

Postmortem radiography of gastromalacia: case reports

Authors: Akihito Usui, Yusuke Kawasumi, Yoshiyuki Hosokai, Yoshie Hayashizaki, Haruo Saito, Masato Funayama

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 9/2013

Abstract

Gastromalacia is a postmortem artifact resulting from autolysis of the gastric walls. Gastromalacia is autolytic rupture of the stomach caused by endogenous enzymes, and it is devoid of any vital reactions. The left leaf of the diaphragm is occasionally perforated by a ragged fenestration, with escape of gastric contents into the pleural cavity. This rupture may lead to pneumoperitoneum or pneumothorax. For diagnostic radiologists, gastromalacia is rarely encountered. Therefore, they should be aware of this entity to avoid misdiagnosis when performing postmortem radiography.

Hunter J. On the digestion of the stomach after death. Philos Trans R Soc London. 1772;62:447–52.CrossRef

Joshua AP. Time of death and changes after death. In: Spitz WU, editor. Medico-legal investigation of death: guidelines for the application of pathology to crime investigation. 4th ed. Springfield: Charles C Thomas; 2006. p. 14–49.

Laczniak AN, Sato Y, Nashelsky M. Postmortem gastric perforation (gastromalacia) mimicking abusive injury in sudden unexplained infant death. Pediatr Radiol. 2011;41:1595–7.PubMedCrossRef

O’Donnell CJ, Baker MA. Postmortem CT findings of gastromalacia: a trap for the radiologist with forensic interest. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2010;6:293–7.PubMedCrossRef

Fischer F, Grimm J, Kirchhoff C, Reiser MF, Graw M, Kirchhoff S. Postmortem 24-h interval computed tomography findings on intrahepatic gas development and changes of liver parenchyma radiopacity. Forensic Sci Int. 2012;214:118–23.PubMedCrossRef

Kanetake J, Kanawaku Y, Funayama M. Automatic continuous monitoring of rectal temperature using a button-type thermo data logger. Leg Med (Tokyo). 2006;8:226–30.CrossRef

Molina DK. Handbook of forensic toxicology for medical examiners. Boca Raton: CRC press; 2010.

Brown TH, Davidson PF, Larson GM. Acute gastritis occurring within 24 h of severe head injury. Gastrointest Endosc. 1989;35:37–40.PubMedCrossRef

Larson GM, Koch S, O’Dorisio TM, Osadchey B, McGraw P, Richardson JD. Gastric response to severe head injury. Am J Surg. 1984;147:97–105.PubMedCrossRef

10.

Kawasumi Y, Usui A, Hosokai Y, Sato M, Funayama M. Heat haematoma: post-mortem computed tomography findings. Clin Radiol. 2013;68:e95–7.PubMedCrossRef

Title: Postmortem radiography of gastromalacia: case reports
Authors: Akihito Usui
Yusuke Kawasumi
Yoshiyuki Hosokai
Yoshie Hayashizaki
Haruo Saito
Masato Funayama
Publication date: 01-09-2013
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 9/2013
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-013-0229-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Postmortem radiography of gastromalacia: case reports

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 9/2013

Collar-type osteophyte of the femur in young adults: is it a harbinger of intra-articular osteoid osteoma?

Efficacy and safety of an early Solitaire stent retrieval technique for acute ischemic stroke

Can sufficient preoperative information of intracranial aneurysms be obtained by using 320-row detector CT angiography alone?

Midterm results of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: comparison of instruction-for-use (IFU) cases and non-IFU cases

Is it necessary to repeat CT imaging and replanning during the course of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma?

Adrenal cortical adenoma arising from an adrenohepatic union