Fayixue Zazhi (Feb 2023)
Comparison of CT Values between Thrombus and Postmortem Clot Based on Cadaveric Pulmonary Angiography
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the difference in CT values between pulmonary thromboembolism and postmortem clot in postmortem CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to further improve the application value of virtual autopsy.MethodsPostmortem CTPA data with the definite cause of death from 2016 to 2019 were collected and divided into pulmonary thromboembolism group (n=4), postmortem clot group (n=5), and control group (n=5). CT values of pulmonary trunk and left and right pulmonary artery contents in each group were measured and analyzed statistically.ResultsThe average CT value in the pulmonary thromboembolism group and postmortem clot group were (168.4±53.8) HU and (282.7±78.0) HU, respectively, which were lower than those of the control group (1 193.0±82.9) HU (P<0.05). The average CT value of the postmortem clot group was higher than that of the pulmonary thromboembolism group (P<0.05).ConclusionCT value is reliable and feasible as a relatively objective quantitative index to distinguish pulmonary thromboembolism and postmortem clot in postmortem CTPA. At the same time, it can provide a scientific basis to a certain extent for ruling out pulmonary thromboembolism deaths.
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