Abstract
BackgroundPostmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in perinatal and childhood deaths is increasingly used as a noninvasive adjunct or alternative to autopsy. Imaging protocols vary between centres and consensus guidelines do not exist.ObjectiveOur aim was to develop practical, standardised recommendations for perinatal postmortem MRI.Materials and methodsRecommendations were based on the results of two surveys regarding local postmortem MRI practices sent electronically to all 14 members of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) Postmortem Imaging Task Force and 17 members of the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging Task Force (25 different centres).ResultsOverall, 11/14 (78.6%) respondents from different institutions perform postmortem MRI. All of these centres perform postmortem MRI for perinatal and neonatal deaths, but only 6/11 (54.5%) perform imaging in older children.ConclusionWe propose a clinical standard for postmortem MRI sequences plus optional sequences for neuroimaging and cardiac anatomy depending on available scanning time and referral indications.
Highlights
Paediatric postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was first reported in 1996 by Brookes et al [1]
We outline a questionnaire-based survey of postmortem MRI protocols used by European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) and International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI) members, and generate a consensus view on a clinical standard protocol
An initial fact-finding email (Appendix) was sent to all 17 members of the ISFRI and 14 members of the ESPR Postmortem Imaging Task Force in January 2018 consisting of 5 questions related to paediatric and perinatal postmortem MRI, age ranges and sequences used
Summary
Paediatric postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was first reported in 1996 by Brookes et al [1]. While several centres use paediatric postmortem MRI in routine clinical practice, there are no consensus guidelines for paediatric/perinatal postmortem MRI protocols. The European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) set up a task force in 2016 to establish the extent and nature of current clinical utilisation and to develop minimum standards for clinical radiology practice. In this manuscript, we outline a questionnaire-based survey of postmortem MRI protocols used by ESPR and International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI) members, and generate a consensus view on a clinical standard protocol. Imaging protocols vary between centres and consensus guidelines do not exist
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