Postmortem changes on corpses appear immediately after death, and can transform the original structure characteristics of the corpse to different degrees as well as show specific changes on computed tomography （CT） images, sometimes with false positives and false negatives, influencing the identification of injuries or diseases. This paper systematically summarizes the postmortem changes of computed tomography imaging characteristics on corpses, to further expand the application of virtopsy in the practices of forensic pathology identification, and provide reference for the identification of injuries, diseases and changes after normal death.
Autopsy ; Cadaver ; Forensic Pathology/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Postmortem Changes ; Research/trends* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Localization of multiple small lung nodules is the technical difficulty of minimally invasive operation resection. However, there are few clinical studies on the preoperative localization of multiple small lung nodules. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical value of preoperative computed tomography (CT) guided microcoil localization for multiple small lung nodules compared with single small lung nodule before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 235 patients with preoperative pulmonary nodules microcoil localization was performed. According to whether the nodules were single, they were divided into single nodule group (184 cases) and multiple nodules group (51 cases) (multiple nodules group). The single nodule group was positioned under CT-guided conventional methods. The multiple nodules group were CT guided localized by microcoil in batches according to priority before VATS. The success rate, complications, pathological results and localization operations related data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The success rate of localization in multiple nodule groups was 90.2%, there was no significant difference compared with the single nodule group (90.2% vs 94.6%, P=0.205). The occurrence rate of pneumothorax in multiple nodule group and single nodule group was no statistical difference (21.6% vs 14.1%, P=0.179), however, the operation time in the multiple nodule group was significantly longer than the single nodule group [(30.6±6.6) min vs (19.9±7.4) min, P=0.000]. There were no serious complications such as massive hemoptysis, air embolism or hemothorax. There was no conversion to thoracotomy due to failure of localizing the nodules during operation. Sub-lobectomy was the main method of operation. The majority of postoperative pathologies were non-invasive carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS For multiple small lung pulmonary nodules requiring thoracoscopic surgery, according to certain strategies, preoperative CT-guided localized by microcoil in batches according to priority before VATS is safe and effective, and worthy of promotion.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Preoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Burden

Adult ; Catheter-Related Infections ; etiology ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; instrumentation ; Central Venous Catheters ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism ; etiology ; Recurrence ; Sepsis ; etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVES: To develop a measurement software of lung compression degree to calculate the lung compression ratio in pneumothorax patients accurately and quickly, and then provide an objective assessment of damage degree in forensic clinical identification. METHODS: A volume calculation software was established according to the working principle of the CT instrument. CT data of 15 pneumothorax patients were selected as research objects. The lung compression ratio of pneumothorax patient was calculated by the lung compression volume calculation software of the CT instrument. Meanwhile, the lung compression ratio was also calculated by the developed volume calculation software. The lung compression ratio and operation time calculated by the two methods were analyzed statistically. Scatter plot graphs were draw based on related data, and the developed volume calculation software was verified. RESULTS: The difference between the lung compression ratios calculated by the two methods was not statistically significant, but showed a linear correlation （P<0.05）. The operation time of the developed volume calculation software was obviously shorter. CONCLUSIONS The volume calculation software developed in this study can calculate the lung compression degree of pneumothorax more conveniently and rapidly with easy accessibility, which shows an application value in the forensic practice.
Forensic Medicine/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Lung/diagnostic imaging* ; Pneumothorax ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the preoperative assessment value of spectral CT quantitative parameters in lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer.

METHODSFrom December 2013 to June 2015, clinical and image data of 86 patients with gastric cancer confirmed by gastroscope pathology undergoing preoperative enhanced CT were prospectively collected. Enhanced CT included nonenhanced CT of conventional 120 kVp mode, arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP) with GSI mode on Discover GSI CT scanner. The raw data were transferred to ADW4.6 workstation to reconstruct the monochromatic images at 70 keV and iodine-based images in AP and VP with 1.25 mm thickness. The short diameter, long diameter, ratio of short to long diameter, CT attenuation and iodine value of lymph nodes in each phase were measured and recorded. Pathology results were used as golden standard. The spectral CT quantitative parameters of positive and negative lymph nodes were compared by t test and the sensitivity and specificity analyses were performed by ROC curves. This clinical study registration number 81271573.

RESULTSAmong these 86 gastric cancer patients (53 male and 33 female), tumors of 28 cases were in upper part, of 12 cases in middle part, of 27 cases in distal part and of 19 cases involved two parts. Thirty-five cases were differentiated type and 51 cases were undifferentiated type. A total of 1 072 lymph nodes were found in operation, of which 412 nodes were positive and 660 were negative. Among 552 lymph nodes found in CT images, 338 nodes were positive and 214 were negative. Compared to negative lymph nodes, short diameter [(9.52±3.58) mm vs. (6.48±2.94) mm, t=4.639, P=0.000], ratio of short to long diameter (0.82±0.14 vs. 0.61±0.08, t=13.514, P=0.000), CT attenuation in precontrast [(20.44±6.77) Hu vs. (16.06±7.14) Hu, t=3.154, P=0.002], CT attenuation in AP[(61.71±11.78) Hu vs. (40.11±10.18) Hu, t=9.588, P=0.000], CT attenuation in VP[(71.34±13.03) Hu vs. (53.81±11.39) Hu, t=7.888, P=0.000], iodine value in AP [(16.17±4.22) 100 μg/cmvs. (8.03±3.10) 100 μg/cm, t=9.781, P=0.000], the iodine value in VP [(20.13±6.04) 100 μg/cmvs. (11.58±4.13) 100 μg/cm, t=10.147, P=0.000] of positive lymph nodes were greater. The long diameter was not significantly different between positive and negative lymph nodes [(11.71±5.63) mm vs. (10.64±3.20) mm, t=1.380, P=0.169]. The area under ROC curve of short diameter, ratio of short to long diameter, CT attenuation in precontrast, AP and VP, iodine value in AP and VP of lymph nodes was 0.600, 0.880, 0.648, 0.832, 0.755, 0.864, 0.835, respectively. Taking the ratio of short to long diameter over 0.72 as diagnosis standard, the sensitivity was 75.6% and the specificity was 93.5%. Taking the CT number in AP over 49.75 Hu, the sensitivity was 66.9% and the specificity was 88.8%. Taking the CT number in VP over 59.80 Hu, the sensitivity was 69.9% and the specificity was 77.6%. Taking the iodine value in AP over 9.65 (100 μg/cm), the sensitivity was 80.4% and the specificity was 82.2%. Taking the iodine value in VP over 15.65 (100 μg/cm), the sensitivity was 69.9% and the specificity was 86.9%. Combinong the ratio of short to long diameter with the iodine value in AP, the sensitivity was 95.2% and the specificity was 76.9%.

CONCLUSIONSThe ratio of short to long diameter, the iodine value and CT attenuation in AP and VP of lymph nodes in spectral CT are important criteria to evaluate the metastasis of gastric cancer. Combining the ratio of short to long diameter with the iodine value in AP can obviously improve the sensitivity.

Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; instrumentation ; methods

We retrospectively reviewed the thoracic CT scan protocols and technical parameters obtained from hospitals in Korea, one group during May 2007 (n = 100) and the other group during January 2012 (n = 173), before and after the establishment of the thoracic CT Guideline in 2008. Each group was also divided into two subgroups according to the health care delivery level, i.e. the "A" subgroup from primary and the "B" subgroup from secondary and tertiary care hospitals. When comparing the data from 2007 and 2012, the tube current decreased from 179.1 mAs to 137.2 mAs. The scan interval decreased from 6.4 mm to 4.8 mm. Also, the insufficient scan range decreased from 19.0% to 8.7%, and the suboptimal quality scans decreased from 33.0% to 5.2%. Between groups A and B, group B had lower tube voltages, smaller scan thicknesses, and smaller scan intervals. However, group B had more phase numbers. In terms of the suboptimal quality scans, a decrease was seen in both groups. In conclusion, during the five-year time period between 2007 and 2012, a reduction in the tube current values was seen. And the overall image quality improved over the same time period. We assume that these changes are attributed to the implementation of the thoracic CT guideline in 2008.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Guidelines as Topic ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Radiation Dosage ; *Radiography, Thoracic ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Societies, Scientific ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed/instrumentation

Emerging concerns regarding the hazard from medical radiation including CT examinations has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to observe the longitudinal changes of CT radiation doses of various CT protocols and to estimate the long-term efforts of supervising radiologists to reduce medical radiation. Radiation dose data from 11 representative CT protocols were collected from 12 hospitals. Attending radiologists had collected CT radiation dose data in two time points, 2007 and 2010. They collected the volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) of each phase, number of phases, dose length product (DLP) of each phase, and types of scanned CT machines. From the collected data, total DLP and effective dose (ED) were calculated. CTDIvol, total DLP, and ED of 2007 and 2010 were compared according to CT protocols, CT machine type, and hospital. During the three years, CTDIvol had significantly decreased, except for dynamic CT of the liver. Total DLP and ED were significantly decreased in all 11 protocols. The decrement was more evident in newer CT scanners. However, there was substantial variability of changes of ED during the three years according to hospitals. Although there was variability according to protocols, machines, and hospital, CT radiation doses were decreased during the 3 years. This study showed the effects of decreased CT radiation dose by efforts of radiologists and medical society.
Abdomen/radiation effects ; Angiography ; Brain/radiation effects ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Liver/radiation effects ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Radiation Dosage ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed/instrumentation

No abstract available.
DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded/radiation effects ; Humans ; Radiation Injuries/*etiology ; Radiation Protection/instrumentation ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Oesophageal rupture is a life-threatening complication of balloon tamponade for bleeding oesophageal varices. We herein describe the clinical course and imaging findings in a 33-year-old Indian man who had a Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tube inserted for uncontrolled haematemesis, which was unfortunately complicated by malposition of the gastric balloon with resultant oesophageal rupture. The inflated SB tube gastric balloon was visualised within the right hemithorax on chest radiography after the SB tube insertion. Further evaluation of the thorax on computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of oesophageal rupture associated with right-sided haemopneumothorax. It is crucial for both the referring clinician and reporting radiologist to recognise early the imaging features of an incorrectly positioned SB tube gastric balloon, so as to ensure prompt intervention and a reduction in patient morbidity and mortality.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Esophagus ; injuries ; Gastric Balloon ; adverse effects ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; methods ; Rupture ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Computed tomography (CT) is widely used in postmortem investigations as an adjunct to the traditional autopsy in forensic medicine. To date, several studies have described postmortem CT findings as being caused by normal postmortem changes. However, on interpretation, postmortem CT findings that are seemingly due to normal postmortem changes initially, may not have been mere postmortem artifacts. In this pictorial essay, we describe the common postmortem CT findings in cases of atraumatic in-hospital death and describe the diagnostic pitfalls of normal postmortem changes that can mimic real pathologic lesions.
Adult ; Aged ; Autopsy/instrumentation/*methods ; Brain/pathology/radiography ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/instrumentation/*methods ; Gastrointestinal Tract/pathology/radiography ; Heart/radiography ; Humans ; Lung/pathology/radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardium/pathology ; Postmortem Changes ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods