Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Malli, N.
Detection of traumatic scalp injuries for forensic reconstruction using computed tomography
[ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2011. pp. 76
[OPEN ACCESS]
FullText
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Scheurer Eva
- Yen Kathrin
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Purpose: The external examination of living people after an impact is the current gold standard of a forensic evaluation. However, in many cases the involvement of the forensic examiner is delayed. In such cases forensic examiners can only refer to the clinical documentation of the treating department. As in contrast to forensic case work clinical medicine is concentrated on therapy clinical information, documentation and description of wounds is often insufficient for forensic assessment. . The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the rate of detection and classification of traumatic soft tissue injuries of the head using clinical MSCT and to compare it with an external forensic examination. Material and Methods: 31 patients (22 females, 9 males; mean age 72.7 years; age range 21.1-96.1 years) with soft tissue injuries after head trauma and clinically indicated cerebral MSCT-scan underwent an external forensic examination with documentation of the morphological appearance and the exact localization of the findings using body charts and digital photography. The MSCT-data were read and evaluated by a board certified radiologist blinded to the results of the external examination using axial images as well as multiplanar reconstruction tools for an exact report of external and internal pathological findings of the head. The results of the radiological and forensic report were compared and analyzed. Results: The forensic examination as gold standard detected 62 soft tissue lesions which represent the number of external pathological findings. The radiological report described 71 pathological findings of which 39 concerned the soft tissue of the scalp and face. Furthermore, 18 internal lesions such as fractures or cerebral bleedings and 14 hyper- or hypodense suspected changings were found. Our results show an agreement between external examination and MSCT in 54.8% of all external findings. Regarding morphological criteria all lacerations and 70% of the hematomas were correctly identified in the radiological report, whereas the diagnosis of swellings and abrasions was difficult. 28 findings were only seen in the external examination of which 15 were superficial abrasions. Conclusion: Depending on morphological criteria and location of soft tissue injuries of the head the forensic-radiologic evaluation of clinical MSCT scans is a valuable objective method to retrospectively supplement external forensic examination in living persons after traumatic incidents.