Potential advantages and disadvantages of postmortem computed tomography for diagnosing peripapillary scleral hemorrhage

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K19268
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Legal medicine
• Research Institution: Akita University
• Principal Investigator: OSHIMA Toru 秋田大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 講師 (70464427)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 小児虐待 / 視神経鞘出血 / 揺さぶられっ子症候群 / 法医学 / 眼底出血 / 頭部外傷 / 死後画像診断

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to determine potential advantages and disadvantages of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) for diagnosing peripapillary scleral hemorrhage. In four cases of intracranial injury, peripapillary scleral hemorrhage was detected in pathological examination. In one case, peripapillary scleral hemorrhage was detected using PMCT. However, we had one case of peripapillary scleral congestion, which we misdiagnosed as peripapillary scleral hemorrhage by using PMCT. It is difficult to diagnose peripapillary scleral hemorrhage by only using PMCT. Based on the manner of acquisition of the head injuries, the primary head impact locations, and the direction of acceleration and source of hemorrhage, we presume that peripapillary scleral hemorrhage is caused by traction of the optic nerve resulting from the brain being repositioned caudally in the intracranial space.

Free Research Field

法医学