To illustrate the radiological findings on Post-Mortem CT in cases of drowning

Drowning is defined by the World Health Organisation as the the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid.1 Worldwide, drowning is a major public health problem. In 2019 an estimated 236 000 people died from drowning, making it the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide.2 Post-Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) is being increasingly utilised in the Forensic Medicine setting to assist in determining the cause and manner of death. PMCT can also be used to triage cases and to direct...

Fluid in paranasal sinuses Fluid in the paranasal sinuses is a very common, and highly sensitive finding. Sensitivity approaches 100% in multiple studies.3 If absent, one should strongly consider other causes of death apart from drowning.5 However, this is not a specific finding, and can also be seen in non-drowning cases. 6,7 This finding may also be explained by ante-mortem conditions causing sinusitis, regurgitation and post-mortem effusion. Passive post-mortem passage of fluid due to prolonged submersion, is also a theoretical consideration. PMCT easily demonstrates fluid...

PMCT findings can be helpful in supporting a diagnosis of drowning, and the typical findings have been described. Of these, fluid in the paranasal sinuses is the most sensitive, while the most specific finding is the presence of sediment in the paranasal sinuses, airways, lungs and stomach. It is important to be aware of limitations in interpretation, as there is overlap in the PMCT findings in drowning with other pathological processes, and with changes secondary to immersion, resuscitation and decomposition. Appropriate training and awareness of...

van Beeck EF, Branche CM, Szpilman D, et al. A new definition of drowning: towards documentation and prevention of a global public health problem. Bull World Health Organ. 2005 Nov; 83(11):853-6 World Health Organisation. Drowning [internet], 2021 [updated 2021 April 27]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning Raux C, Savall F, Rouge D, Telmon N, Dedouit F. Diagnosis of drowning using post-mortem computed tomography – state of the art. Archiwum Medycyny Sadowej I Kryminologii. 2014 Dec; 64(2): 59-75 Edgar HJH, Daneshvari Berry S, Moes E, Adolphi NL, Bridges...