Utility of post mortem computed tomography in clivus fracture diagnosis. Case illustration and literature review

Leg Med (Tokyo). 2018 Jan:30:42-45. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2017.11.006. Epub 2017 Nov 16.

Abstract

Clivus fractures are usually associated with head blunt trauma due to traffic accident and falls. A 23 - year-old man died immediately after a smash-up while he was stopping on his motorcycle. Post-mortem Computed tomography (PMCT), performed before autopsy, revealed a complex basilar skull base fractures associated with brainstem and cranio-vertebral junction injuries, improving the diagnostic performance of conventional autopsy. Imaging data were re-assessable and PMCT offers the possibility to perform multiplanar and volume rendered reconstructions, increasing forensic medicine knowledge related to traumatic injuries.

Keywords: Brainstem laceration; Cervical spine; Clivus fracture; Forensic pathology; Post-mortem CT; Traffic accident.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Autopsy
  • Brain Stem / pathology
  • Death*
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Skull Fractures*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Young Adult