Serial postmortem thoracic radiographic findings in canine cadavers

Abstract Postmortem radiographic examinations of animals are often performed in judicial investigation to rule out gunshot and fractures due to cruelty. Literature describing postmortem changes seen on radiographs of animals is rarely available. Serial thoracic radiography of six recently euthanized...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forensic science international 2009-07, Vol.188 (1), p.119-124
Main Authors: Heng, Hock Gan, Selvarajah, Gayathri Thevi, Lim, Hiang Tee, Ong, Jin Seng, Lim, Jiehan, Ooi, Jin Tatt
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Canine cadavers
Dogs
Esophagus - pathology
Female
Forensic medicine
Forensic Pathology
Forensic sciences
General aspects
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Lung - pathology
Male
Medical sciences
Myocardium - pathology
Pathology
Pneumothorax - pathology
Postmortem Changes
Postmortem radiograph
Prospective Studies
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Radiography, Thoracic
Shoulder Joint - pathology
Subcutaneous Emphysema - pathology
Temperature
Thorax
Time Factors
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Summary:Abstract Postmortem radiographic examinations of animals are often performed in judicial investigation to rule out gunshot and fractures due to cruelty. Literature describing postmortem changes seen on radiographs of animals is rarely available. Serial thoracic radiography of six recently euthanized dogs was performed in an interval of 8 h at a tropical ambient temperature of 22–33 °C. Severe decomposition of the cadavers prevented the study to be performed beyond 24 h. Gradual increment of gas accumulation in the pleural cavity, mediastinum, esophagus, blood vessels, cardiac chambers and subcutaneous tissue was observed. Lung changes observed were typical of alveolar pattern and subsequently collapsed secondary to severe pneumothorax. Vacuum phenomenon of the scapulohumeral joints which was not documented in humans was seen in four cadavers. Most radiographic changes were detected at 16 h post-euthanasia. Severe subcutaneous emphysema developed between 16 and 24 h post-euthanasia. This study showed that rapid postmortem changes which could be detected radiographically occur within 24 h of death at the ambient temperature of 22–33 °C.
ISSN:0379-0738
1872-6283
DOI:10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.031