Postmortem computed tomography differentiation between intraperitoneal decomposition gas and pneumoperitoneum

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the ability of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) to distinguish intraperitoneal decomposition gas from pneumoperitoneum due to intestinal perforation.

METHODS: This retrospective study investigated the factors affecting intraperitoneal gas in two groups of 14 decedents as detected by postmortem CT performed in the Department of Legal Medicine of Hamburg University. The first group died with a cause of death associated with intestinal perforation, and the second group with other different natural causes of death. These factors include postmortem interval, gas volume, gas distribution, radiology alteration index (RAI), and pneumoperitoneum-associated pathology.

RESULTS: The findings of this study showed the appearance of specific gas distribution patterns and a significant increase in gas volumes in the cases of intestinal perforation. Moreover, postmortem interval and the pneumoperitoneum-associated pathology could help distinguish postmortem-generated gas from pneumoperitoneum.

CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, we propose that these findings can improve the proper detection of intestinal perforation cases in the future.