| The use of postmortem computed tomography in the diagnosis of intentional medication overdose. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 22101634 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The recognition of a well defined basal layer of radio dense material on the postmortem computed tomography (CT) images, in the setting of typical scene findings of an intentional medication overdose and unremarkable external examination of the deceased's body can, in certain circumstances, permit such cases to be managed without routine full autopsy examination. Preliminary toxicological analysis can be targeted to such cases to provide further supportive evidence of intentional medication overdose. In cases where the scene findings are ambiguous or have been contaminated the postmortem CT images may alert the pathologist of the possibility of overdose in an otherwise apparently natural death. We reviewed 61 cases of documented intentional therapeutic medication overdose and 61 control cases. In the majority of the cases of confirmed intentional therapeutic medication overdose the CT images showed no diagnostic features. However, in many cases a well defined basal layer of radio-opaque material was clearly seen to line the gastric mucosa. The postmortem CT pattern which we believe to be highly suggestive of intentional medication overdose must be differentiated from other causes of increased radio density in the stomach which include CT artefacts. |
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Authors:
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Michael P Burke; Chris O'Donnell; Richard Bassed |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-11-19 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Forensic science, medicine, and pathology Volume: - ISSN: 1556-2891 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Nov |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-11-21 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101236111 Medline TA: Forensic Sci Med Pathol Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Affiliation:
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Department of Forensic Medicine, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Southbank, VIC, 3006, Australia, michaelb@vifm.org. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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