Virtual autopsy in hanging

The aim of the study was to compare post-mortem computed tomography (CT) imaging findings from a case of hanging with the autopsy findings. The CT showed a good match with autopsy findings especially for bone, soft tissue and spinal injuries. The CT images of the injuries of the neck obtained by CT scan clearly showed the ligature mark, the haemorrhagic suffusion in the soft tissue (thickening of derma) and in the muscles (sternocleidomastoid) of the neck. Furthermore, CT 3D reconstruction showed brain edema, fracture of the left posterior horn of the hyoid bone and a grade 1 retrolisthesis of C5 on C6. This last finding was not detected by autopsy due to the anterior approach that is frequently used in necropsy technique. Nevertheless, the CT virtual autopsy did not show vascular findings (like Amussat's mark) because a barium mixture was not injected in the body.