Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cause and significance of intrahepatic gas (IHG).
Materials and methods: There were 208 nontraumatically deceased individuals retrospectively investigated concerning the occurrence and location of IHG by postmortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT) imaging. The location of IHG was graded on a scale from 0 to 3: 0, no gas; 1, gas only in the left lobe; 2, gas in the left lobe and anterior segment of the right lobe; 3, gas in the left lobe and the anterior and posterior segments of the right lobe). We also assessed and noted the occurrence of intestinal distention, airway management, the interval between cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) and subsequent examination, and the postmortem interval.
Results: IHG was found in 66 cases (31.7%): grade 1, 15 (7.2%); grade 2, 21 (10.1%); grade 3, 30 (14.4%). The presence of IHG was strongly related to intestinal distention and the period between the time of CPA and the examination.
Conclusion: IHG is a frequent finding on postmortem CT in cases of nontraumatic death. The presence of IHG is related to intestinal distention and the interval between the time of CPA and examination.