POSSIBILITIES OF POSTMORTEM RADIOLOGICAL STUDIES FOR EVALUATION OF LUNG LESIONS


Tumanova U.N.¹, Serova N.S.², Bychenko V.G.¹, Shchegolev A.I.¹

 

Purpose. The literature data and the results of our own research, which demonstrate the possibilities of using radiological research methods for the analysis of the lungs lesions in deceased patients, are presented. It is shown that the postmortem computed tomography (CT) allows to identify abnormalities of the chest bones, as well as to establish the presence, precise localization and volume of gas and air accumulations, including pneumothorax. The literature data on the comparison of postmortem CT lung characteristics, including the den-sity of their tissue, with data of histological examination of lung preparations and causes of death in adult patients, are presented. It is noted that postmortem magnetic resonance im-aging (MRI) is more expedient for the detection of the lungs pathology in dead fetuses and deceased newborns. The possibilities of postmortem MRI for the diagnosis of congenital pneumonia, hemorrhages in the lung tissue, pulmonary edema, hydrothorax, as well as for differential diagnosis of stillbirth and the death of a living newborn are shown. Differential diagnostic signs of pulmonary artery thromboembolism and postmortem blood clots are indi-cated. The possibilities of postmortem CT and MRI for non-invasive determination of the siz-es and weight of the lungs, including for assessment of pulmonary hypoplasia in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, are described. It is concluded that the postmortem radiological methods of investigation can be used to analyze of the lung lesions and determine the causes of death. The combined use of CT and MRI is recommended for a full analysis. It is emphasized that postmortem radiological examination can not be an alternative to pathological and forensic autopsy. Radiological methods should be used as a supplement to the autopsy, including as a kind of "guide" for a better definition of pathological processes during the autopsy.

1- National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I.Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation (NMRCOGP). 2- Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Edu-cation I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University). Russia, Moscow.

 

Keywords: autopsy, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lungs.

 

 

Corresponding author:

Tumanova U.N., e-mail: Этот e-mail адрес защищен от спам-ботов, для его просмотра у Вас должен быть включен Javascript

 

 

For citation: For citation: Tumanova U.N., Serova N.S., Bychenko V.G., Shchegolev A.I. Possibilities of postmortem radiological studies for evaluation of lung lesions. REJR 2018; 8 (2):198-221. DOI:10.21569/2222-7415-2018-8-2-198-221.

Received: 29.01.2018 Accepted: 09.03.2018