JANUARY JOURNAL CLUB - Impact of changing from autopsy to post-mortem CT in an entire HM Coroner region

As a first journal club discussion for the new year, we present the article:

Davendralingam N, Brookes AL, Shah MA, Shelmerdine SC.

Post-mortem CT service structures in non-suspicious death investigations.

BJR Open. 2024 Oct 29;6(1):tzae036. doi: 10.1093/bjro/tzae036.

Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11568351/

 

This article reviews various service structures for post-mortem CT (PMCT) scans used as a less invasive alternative to traditional autopsies. It explores different PMCT scanner types—static, relocatable, and mobile—comparing their costs, advantages, and logistical challenges. The authors also examine diverse service models, including pathologist-led, radiologist-led, and hybrid approaches, and various reporting structures (in-house, teleradiology, or a combination). Real-world examples from UK institutions illustrate the practical implementation of these models. Finally, the article highlights the importance of adapting PMCT services to local needs and resources.

 

NB. Each episode is AI -generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest and importance of topic matter.