Minimally Invasive Technique for the Detection and Analysis of Pulmonary Fat Embolism: A Feasibility Study

• NCJ Number: 242063
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 57 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2012 Pages: 1329-1335
• Author(s): Laura Filograna, M.D.; Stephan A. Bolliger, M.D.; Beat Kneubuehl, Ph.D.; Christian Jackowski, M.D.; Gary M. Hatch, M.D.; Michael J. Thali, M.D.
• Date Published: September 2012
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated the feasibility of postmortem percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) for obtaining pulmonary samples adequate for the study of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE).

Abstract

The authors investigated the feasibility of postmortem percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) for obtaining pulmonary samples adequate for the study of pulmonary fat embolism (PFE). Samples of both lungs were obtained from 26 cadavers via 2 different methods: (i) PNB and (ii) the double-edged knife technique, the gold standard at the institute. After water storage and Sudan III staining, six forensic pathologists independently examined all samples for the presence and severity of PFE. The results were compared and analyzed in each case regarding the vitality of the PFE and its relationship to the cause of death. The results showed that PFE was almost identically diagnosed and graded on the samples obtained via both methods. The discrepancies between the two techniques did not affect the diagnoses of vitality or cause of death related to PFE. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the PNB sampling method for the diagnosis and interpretation of PFE in the postmortem setting. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.