Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30937612›Full record

ReviewVirchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology2019

State of the art in post-mortem computed tomography: a review of current literature.

Niccolò Norberti, Paolina Tonelli, Claudia Giaconi, Cosimo Nardi, Martina Focardi, Gabriella Nesi, Vittorio Miele, Stefano Colagrande

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
31citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

31 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  9. Implementation of post-mortem examinations within a large population-based cohort: results from the Hamburg City Health Study.Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society · 2026
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  11. Observational
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  14. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Niccolò NorbertiDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiodiagnostic Unit No. 2, University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
Paolina TonelliDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiodiagnostic Unit No. 2, University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
Claudia GiaconiDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Via Roma, 67, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
Cosimo NardiDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiodiagnostic Unit No. 2, University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
Martina FocardiDepartment of Health Sciences, Forensic Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
Gabriella NesiDepartment of Surgery and Translational Medicine, Division of Pathological Anatomy, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
Vittorio MieleDepartment of Services, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
Stefano ColagrandeDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiodiagnostic Unit No. 2, University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy. stefano.colagrande@unifi.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0137-8606

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) and other advanced diagnostic imaging techniques are gaining popularity in forensic pathology. This paper aims to define and offer complete and easily accessible "state of the art" for post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT), by reviewing the latest international literature. The proposed format answers the "five Ws" that follows: (1) What: We report the different kinds of CT scan and settings generally used in post-mortem imaging. The machine most employed is a 8/16-slice spiral CT, usually without contrast enhancement. The introduction of some variables, such as CT-guided biopsies, post-mortem ventilation, and PMCT angiography is becoming increasingly useful. (2) Why: Literature highlights the many advantages of PMCT. Limitations can be partly overcome by modern imaging techniques and combined evaluation with traditional autopsy. (3) Who: Most authors agree that collaboration between different specialists, i.e., radiologists and pathologists, is the best scenario, since radiologic, anatomic, and forensic skills are needed simultaneously. The most important human factor is "teamwork". (4) When: Literature provides no absolute limits for performing PMCT. Some authors have tested PMCT as a replacement for conventional autopsy but found some limitations. Others evaluated PMCT as a guide or screening tool for traditional autopsy. (5) Where: Many research groups around the world have performed studies on the use of PMCT. Although few countries adopt PMCT in routine practice, its use is rapidly spreading.

Indexed as

DiagnosisTomography, X-Ray ComputedAutopsyForensic PathologyHumansForensic radiologyPMCTPost-mortem computed tomographyVirtual autopsy

Identifiers

PMID30937612

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.