Hypothermic death resulting from extreme freezing with characteristic postmortem computed tomography findings: A case report and review of the literature

Hiroyuki Tokue, MD; Rie Sano, MD; Yoichiro Takahashi, MD; Akira Hayakawa, MD; Haruki Fukuda, MD; Azusa Tokue, MD; Yoshihiko Kominato, MD; Yoshito Tsushima, MD

Radiology Case Reports (Apr 2023)

Hypothermic death resulting from extreme freezing with characteristic postmortem computed tomography findings: A case report and review of the literature

Hiroyuki Tokue, MD,
Rie Sano, MD,
Yoichiro Takahashi, MD,
Akira Hayakawa, MD,
Haruki Fukuda, MD,
Azusa Tokue, MD,
Yoshihiko Kominato, MD,
Yoshito Tsushima, MD

Affiliations

Hiroyuki Tokue, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Gunma University Hospital, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511 Japan; Corresponding author.
Rie Sano, MD: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Yoichiro Takahashi, MD: Department of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Akira Hayakawa, MD: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Haruki Fukuda, MD: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Azusa Tokue, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Gunma University Hospital, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511 Japan
Yoshihiko Kominato, MD: Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University, Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
Yoshito Tsushima, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Gunma University Hospital, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511 Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 18, no. 4
pp. 1423 – 1426

Abstract

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We report a case of hypothermic death that resulted from extreme freezing, with characteristic postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) findings. A 75-year-old man died in a deeply frozen state. In PMCT, there was a lack of increase in the bilateral lung-field attenuation. Urinary retention, with a hypodense area of frozen urine, was observed in the bladder. Changes that appeared to involve the crystallization of serum in frozen blood were observed in the aorta. Based on the scene and his circumstances, it was speculated that he died of hypothermia. Present case and our review revealed that although PMCT findings from hypothermic death that resulted from deep freezing are very rare, the characteristic PMCT findings may help determine the cause of death.

Published in Radiology Case Reports

ISSN: 1930-0433 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiology-case-reports

About the journal

Abstract

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