Investigation of the role of computed tomography as an adjunct to autopsy in the evaluation of stillbirth.

Typeset version

 

TY  - JOUR
  - O'Donoghue K, O'Regan KN, Sheridan CP, O'Connor OJ, Benson J, McWilliams S, Moore N, Murphy MJ, Chopra R, Higgins JR, Maher MM
  - 2011
  - April
  - European Journal of Radiology
  - Investigation of the role of computed tomography as an adjunct to autopsy in the evaluation of stillbirth.
  - Validated
  - ()
  - INTRODUCTION: The number of parents agreeing to autopsy following stillbirth is declining, which has undermined clinicians' ability to assess causes of intrauterine death and can impact counselling regarding recurrence. Post-mortem radiological imaging is a potential alternative method of investigating perinatal loss. The aim of this study was to assess the role of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in the investigation of stillbirth. STUDY DESIGN: Following ethical approval and written consent, parents were offered MDCT of the stillborn infant. MDCT was performed with 3D reconstruction, and images were analysed for image quality, anthropomorphic measurements and pathologic findings. Body part and organ-specific measurements were performed; including head, chest and abdominal circumferences, and muscle and liver mass was also measured. Findings were correlated with obstetric history, post-mortem skeletal survey (plain radiography), and formal autopsy. RESULTS: Fourteen third-trimester stillborn infants were scanned. Image quality was moderate to excellent for most body structures. CT was better than plain radiography for imaging skeletal structures and large solid organs and demonstrated a range of pathologies including renal vein thrombosis, mesenteric calcification and skeletal hyperostosis that were not seen on plain radiographs. MDCT did not overlook autopsy findings and provided some additional information. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the feasibility of MDCT in the investigation of third trimester stillbirth. MDCT image quality is acceptable and the examination can demonstrate a range of anatomic and pathologic findings. Initially, its value may be as an important adjunct to conventional autopsy.
  - 10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.03.093
DA  - 2011/04
ER  - 
@article{V89413372,
   = {O'Donoghue K,  O'Regan KN and  Sheridan CP,  O'Connor OJ and  Benson J,  McWilliams S and  Moore N,  Murphy MJ and  Chopra R,  Higgins JR and  Maher MM },
   = {2011},
   = {April},
   = {European Journal of Radiology},
   = {Investigation of the role of computed tomography as an adjunct to autopsy in the evaluation of stillbirth.},
   = {Validated},
   = {()},
   = {{INTRODUCTION: The number of parents agreeing to autopsy following stillbirth is declining, which has undermined clinicians' ability to assess causes of intrauterine death and can impact counselling regarding recurrence. Post-mortem radiological imaging is a potential alternative method of investigating perinatal loss. The aim of this study was to assess the role of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in the investigation of stillbirth. STUDY DESIGN: Following ethical approval and written consent, parents were offered MDCT of the stillborn infant. MDCT was performed with 3D reconstruction, and images were analysed for image quality, anthropomorphic measurements and pathologic findings. Body part and organ-specific measurements were performed; including head, chest and abdominal circumferences, and muscle and liver mass was also measured. Findings were correlated with obstetric history, post-mortem skeletal survey (plain radiography), and formal autopsy. RESULTS: Fourteen third-trimester stillborn infants were scanned. Image quality was moderate to excellent for most body structures. CT was better than plain radiography for imaging skeletal structures and large solid organs and demonstrated a range of pathologies including renal vein thrombosis, mesenteric calcification and skeletal hyperostosis that were not seen on plain radiographs. MDCT did not overlook autopsy findings and provided some additional information. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the feasibility of MDCT in the investigation of third trimester stillbirth. MDCT image quality is acceptable and the examination can demonstrate a range of anatomic and pathologic findings. Initially, its value may be as an important adjunct to conventional autopsy.}},
   = {10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.03.093},
  source = {IRIS}
}
AUTHORSO'Donoghue K, O'Regan KN, Sheridan CP, O'Connor OJ, Benson J, McWilliams S, Moore N, Murphy MJ, Chopra R, Higgins JR, Maher MM
YEAR2011
MONTHApril
JOURNAL_CODEEuropean Journal of Radiology
TITLEInvestigation of the role of computed tomography as an adjunct to autopsy in the evaluation of stillbirth.
STATUSValidated
TIMES_CITED()
SEARCH_KEYWORD
VOLUME
ISSUE
START_PAGE
END_PAGE
ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: The number of parents agreeing to autopsy following stillbirth is declining, which has undermined clinicians' ability to assess causes of intrauterine death and can impact counselling regarding recurrence. Post-mortem radiological imaging is a potential alternative method of investigating perinatal loss. The aim of this study was to assess the role of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in the investigation of stillbirth. STUDY DESIGN: Following ethical approval and written consent, parents were offered MDCT of the stillborn infant. MDCT was performed with 3D reconstruction, and images were analysed for image quality, anthropomorphic measurements and pathologic findings. Body part and organ-specific measurements were performed; including head, chest and abdominal circumferences, and muscle and liver mass was also measured. Findings were correlated with obstetric history, post-mortem skeletal survey (plain radiography), and formal autopsy. RESULTS: Fourteen third-trimester stillborn infants were scanned. Image quality was moderate to excellent for most body structures. CT was better than plain radiography for imaging skeletal structures and large solid organs and demonstrated a range of pathologies including renal vein thrombosis, mesenteric calcification and skeletal hyperostosis that were not seen on plain radiographs. MDCT did not overlook autopsy findings and provided some additional information. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the feasibility of MDCT in the investigation of third trimester stillbirth. MDCT image quality is acceptable and the examination can demonstrate a range of anatomic and pathologic findings. Initially, its value may be as an important adjunct to conventional autopsy.
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ISBN_ISSN
EDITION
URL
DOI_LINK10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.03.093
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