Document Detail


Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) of mountaineering casualties in the Swiss Alps - Advantages and limitations.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20728397     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
As an Alpine country, Switzerland has not only a thriving mountaineering tourist industry, but also many mountaineering casualties. At the request of the state attorney, most of the victims undergo only an external inspection without autopsy. One of the main tasks of the forensic pathologist under these circumstances is the correct identification of the deceased for a fast release to their kin. Nevertheless, detailed knowledge of the injuries sustained may lead to improved safety measures, such as better protective equipment. In this study, we examined the feasibility of using cross-sectional imaging with postmortem multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) to detect lesions of the skeletal structures and internal organs. For this purpose, we used whole-body MSCT to examine 10 corpses that suffered fatal falls from great height while climbing in the Swiss part of the European Alps from the years 2007 to 2009. We conclude that postmortem CT imaging is a valuable tool for dental identification and is superior to plain X-rays as a viable compromise between a solely external legal inspection and an autopsy because it delivers otherwise irretrievable additional internal findings non-invasively. This fact is of great importance in cases where an autopsy is refused.
Authors:
Ross Steffen; Cosima Suter; Flach Patricia; Oesterhelweg Lars; Thali Michael; Bolliger Stephan
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-08-21
Journal Detail:
Title:  Legal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)     Volume:  12     ISSN:  1873-4162     ISO Abbreviation:  Leg Med (Tokyo)     Publication Date:  2010 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-10-05     Completed Date:  2011-01-28     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100889186     Medline TA:  Leg Med (Tokyo)     Country:  Ireland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  271-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Centre for Forensic Imaging and Virtopsy, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. steffen.ross@irm.unibe.ch
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Autopsy / methods*
Feasibility Studies
Female
Forensic Pathology
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Male
Middle Aged
Mountaineering / injuries*
Switzerland / epidemiology
Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed*
Whole Body Imaging / methods
Wounds, Nonpenetrating / mortality,  pathology,  radiography*
Young Adult

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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