Comparison of Postmortem MSCT and Autopsy Findings in Traffic Accident Victims / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the application value of postmortem multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) by observing and analyzing the injury features in the traffic accident victims.@*METHODS@#Ten traffic accident victims were scanned with whole body MSCT. The systemic autopsy was subsequently performed to compare with the results of MSCT. The advantages and disadvantages of autopsy and MSCT for obtaining the information of traffic accident injuries were then analyzed.@*RESULTS@#MSCT could reveal 3D shape of fractures clearly and detect air accumulation in different positions of the body, which showed the obvious advantages compared with autopsy. However, the resolution of MSCT was limited compared to the detection of organ and soft tissue injuries.@*CONCLUSION@#A combination of MSCT and autopsy is the best way for determining the manner and the cause of death in traffic fatality victims.

Research Advances in Postmortem Chemistry / 法医学杂志

Postmortem chemistry is becoming more and more essential in routine forensic pathology and has made considerable progress over the past years. Biochemical analyses of vitreous humor, blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid may provide important information in determining the cause of death or in elucidating forensic issues. Postmortem chemistry may be essential for the determination of cause of death when morphological methods (diabetes mellitus, alcoholic ketoacidosis and electrolytic disorders) cannot detect the pathophysiological changes involved in the death process. It can also provide many information in other forensic situations, including myocardial ischemia, sepsis, inflammation, infection, anaphylaxis and hormonal disturbances. The most recent relevant research advances on glucose metabolism, liver function, cardiac function, renal function, sepsis, inflammation, infection, anaphylaxis and hormonal aspect are hereby reviewed.

Postmortem MSCT Analysis and Identification of Fall from Height: One Case Report / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the application value of postmortem multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in cases of fall from height through observing and analyzing the injury features of the fall and reconstructing the process of the fall based on the the above procedure.@*METHODS@#One real fatal case due to fall from height was fully examined using MSCT and three-dimensional reconstruction technique. Analyzing the manner and cause of death through combination of MSCT and systemic autopsy was also implemented. The differences between autopsy and MSCT in getting information of injuries were compared.@*RESULTS@#Fractures involving multiple body regions and liver rupture were found through MSCT and three-dimensional reconstruction. The autopsy got the same results with imageological examination. The case of death was deduced to be fall leading to systemic polytrauma.@*CONCLUSION@#Application of MSCT can be used as the complimentary for traditional autopsy in the analysis of injury manner of fall from height.

Application of MSCT in the identification and analysis of traffic accidents: 2 fatal cases / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the application value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in traffic accidents through observing and analyzing the injury features of the accidents.@*METHODS@#Two fatal cases caused by traffic accidents were fully examined using MSCT, 3D imaging reconstruction and angiography through cardiac puncture. The features of traffic injury mechanism were analyzed through combination of MSCT and postmortem external examination.@*RESULTS@#In case 1, right cardiac rupture was found by MSCT and angiography through cardiac puncture. The cause of death was cardiac tamponade and right ventricular rupture due to the crush injury of chest in the traffic accident. In case 2, splenic rupture and intra-abdominal hemorrhage was found and caused by injury of left trunk by MSCT. The cause of death was hemorrhage and traumatic shock.@*CONCLUSION@#MSCT could observe skeletal injury, soft tissue injury, and hematologic disorder well. The combination use of MSCT and angiography through cardiac puncture provided assistance to the diagnosis of cardiovascular system injury.

Severe hypokalemia due to combination use of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate for diabetics with infection: a case report / 法医学杂志

The combination use of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate can be applied to hypersensitivity. Severe hypokalemia is a usual complication of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate therapy, which occurs frequently with therapeutic use. Fatal cases, accidental and intentional, occur frequently in forensic practice. The current case report presented a 43-year-old man with diabetes mellitus with infection, to whom dexamethasone and calcium gluconate were administered in the private clinic. With the development of such clinical symptoms of severe hypokalemia as quadriplegia, he was confirmed to have severe hypokalemia through a biochemical test before dying of arrhythmia. And also it presented pathophysiologic mechanism underlying severe hypokalemia as well as suggestions for clinical practice regarding combination use of dexamethasone and calcium gluconate.