Histopathology
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Comparative Study
Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in determining cause of sudden death in adults: comparison with conventional autopsy.
To determine the accuracy and define the limitations of post mortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the cause of sudden death in adults. ⋯ This pilot study suggests that post mortem MRI can identify some abnormalities relating to the common causes of sudden death in adults, but there is a need for greater experience in correlating MRI with autopsy findings before a reliable cause of death can be made by MRI alone. Inability to image coronary artery lesions, differentiating thrombus from clot and pulmonary oedema from pneumonic exudates, are specific problems that may be corrected with greater experience and higher resolution scans.