[Postmortem imaging of the lung in cases of COVID-19 deaths].

CLINICAL/METHODOLOGICAL ISSUE: COVID-19 is a new viral disease that is associated with inflammatory pulmonary changes which can be detected in computed tomography (CT). So far postmortem CT (PMCT) has not been used as a screening instrument for the evaluation of deaths with and without autopsy. In this respect, its validity has to be proved in comparison to clinical-radiological experiences.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

Postmortem CT METHODICAL INNOVATIONS: So far, PMCT can be regarded as a methodological innovation that has not yet been sufficiently evaluated for pneumonia.

PERFORMANCE

CT in clinical routine has a high sensitivity for pneumonia. However, to what extent postmortem artifacts are relevant to PMCT still has to be determined.

ACHIEVEMENTS

There is still no standard procedure for the postmortem radiological diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. Despite postmortem artifacts, PMCT can provide valuable information about the presence of pneumonia with interstitial character, especially without autopsy.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

PMCT is particularly useful in the assessment of suspected cases of COVID-19 pneumonia for morphological assessment in the context of monitoring deaths in the current pandemic situation.