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Targeted post-mortem computed tomography cardiac angiography: proof of concept

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Abstract

With the increasing use and availability of multi-detector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in autopsy practice, there has been an international push towards the development of the so-called near virtual autopsy. However, currently, a significant obstacle to the consideration as to whether or not near virtual autopsies could one day replace the conventional invasive autopsy is the failure of post-mortem imaging to yield detailed information concerning the coronary arteries. To date, a cost-effective, practical solution to allow high throughput imaging has not been presented within the forensic literature. We present a proof of concept paper describing a simple, quick, cost-effective, manual, targeted in situ post-mortem cardiac angiography method using a minimally invasive approach, to be used with multi-detector computed tomography for high throughput cadaveric imaging which can be used in permanent or temporary mortuaries.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the relatives who consented for their recently departed loved ones to be part of this study. We wish to thank H.M. Coroner offices for North and South Leicestershire for their support of this project as well as the porters, radiographers and support staff of both the University Hospitals of Leicester and University of Leicester who support this project.

This paper presents independent research commissioned by the NIHR under its RISC Programme (Grant Reference Number RC-PG-0309-10052). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Level 3 Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK

    Sarah L. Saunders & Guy N. Rutty

  2. Imaging Department, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE27LX, UK

    Bruno Morgan, Vimal Raj & Claire E. Robinson

Authors
  1. Sarah L. Saunders
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  2. Bruno Morgan
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  3. Vimal Raj
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  4. Claire E. Robinson
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  5. Guy N. Rutty
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Correspondence to Sarah L. Saunders.

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Saunders, S.L., Morgan, B., Raj, V. et al. Targeted post-mortem computed tomography cardiac angiography: proof of concept. Int J Legal Med 125, 609–616 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0559-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0559-4

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