Abstract

Compared to computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides superior visualization of the soft tissue. Recently, the first 7 Tesla (7 T) MRI scanner was approved for clinical use, which will facilitate access to these ultra-high-field MRI scanners for noninvasive examinations and scientific studies on decedents. 7 T MRI has the potential to provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a characteristic that can be directly exploited to improve image quality and invest in attempts to increase resolution. Therefore, evaluating the diagnostic potential of 7 T MRI for forensic purposes, such as assessments of fatal gunshot wounds, was deemed essential. In this article, we present radiologic findings obtained for craniocerebral gunshot wounds in three decedents. The decedents were submitted to MRI examinations using a 7 T MRI scanner that has been approved for clinical use and a clinical 3 T MRI scanner for comparison. We focused on detecting tiny injuries beyond the wound tract caused by temporary cavitation, such as microbleeds. Additionally, 7 T T2-weighted MRI highlighted a dark (hypo intense) zone beyond the permanent wound tract, which was attributed to increased amounts of paramagnetic blood components in damaged tissue. Microbleeds were also detected adjacent to the wound tract in the white matter on 7 T MRI. Based on the findings of radiologic assessments, the advantages and disadvantages of postmortem 7 T MRI compared to 3 T MRI are discussed with regard to investigations of craniocerebral gunshot wounds as well as the potential role of 7 T MRI in the future of forensic science.

Highlights

  • AG, Zurich, SwitzerlandIn 2017, the first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner operating at the very high magnetic field strength of 7 Tesla (T) received a CE mark and obtained FDA clearance for clinical use

  • The decedents were submitted to MRI examinations using a 7 T MRI scanner that has been approved for clinical use and a clinical 3 T MRI scanner for comparison

  • The missile track was determined to be frontooccipital in case 1, temporoparietal in case 2, and palatoparietal in case 3 based on bone damage observed on computed tomography (CT)

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Summary

Introduction

AG, Zurich, SwitzerlandIn 2017, the first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner operating at the very high magnetic field strength of 7 Tesla (T) received a CE mark and obtained FDA clearance for clinical use. A higher field strength, 7 T MRI, has the potential to provide a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to an increase in spin polarization and a higher resonance frequency. Since the differences in magnetic fields among brain regions with different tissue magnetic susceptibilities increase linearly with increasing field strength, spin dephasing occurs faster at 7 T than at lower field strengths [14]. Compared to lower field strengths, these ultra-high field strengths have drawbacks. Among these drawbacks is the finding that an increased B0 and an increased B1 inhomogeneity may impede improvement of the radiologic assessment and detection of craniocerebral gunshot injuries when using 7 T

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