Sensitivity and Specificity of Postmortem CT for Detection of Thoracic Injury

Authors

  • Komet Kosawiwat
  • RathachaiKaewlai
  • Pinporn Jenjitranant
  • Wisarn Worasuwannarak

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i4.16935

Keywords:

Postmortem CT;Virtual autopsy; Chest injury; Trauma;Forensic Imaging; Forensic Pathology.

Abstract

Objective: Postmortem CT (PMCT) can help conventional autopsy in determining the cause of death and
finding injury to various organs. Since injuries among several vital organs in the thorax can cause death, this
research aims to assess the performance of PMCT in detecting injuries of the thoracic cavity organs.
Materials and Method: A total of 56 dead bodies by unnatural traumatic death who underwent PMCT
before autopsy were collected. Thoracic traumatic findingsfrom PMCT were compared with data obtained
from conventional autopsy wherethe autopsy was the reference standard and calculated for sensitivity,
specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy.
Results:Findings in which PMCT showed high sensitivity included air (100%) and fluid (86.67%). Interms
of bone fracture, sensitivity and accuracy were79.18% and 88.69%, respectively, especially for T-spine
fractures (sensitivity 92.31%, accuracy 87.50%) and clavicle fractures (sensitivity 90%, accuracy 89.29%).
For rib fractures, PMCTexhibited moderate to high sensitivity (68.18-91.67%) and high accuracy (78.57-
98.21%). For soft tissueinjuries, PMCT had high specificity (99.21%), but low sensitivity (34.94%).
Conclusion: PMCT is useful in detecting thoracic injuries in conjunction with the conventional autopsy by
helping to diagnose bone fractures, abnormal air, and fluid with high sensitivity and specificity.

Author Biographies

  • Komet Kosawiwat

    Resident,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

  • RathachaiKaewlai

    Instructor, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital,
    Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

  • Pinporn Jenjitranant

    Instructor, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology,Faculty
    of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

  • Wisarn Worasuwannarak

    Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol
    University, Bangkok, Thailand

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Published

2021-08-16

How to Cite

Sensitivity and Specificity of Postmortem CT for Detection of Thoracic Injury. (2021). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(4), 1593-1603. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i4.16935