Lindner Tobias, Luyken Adrian Konstantin, Lappe Chris, Stachs Oliver, Niendorf Thoralf, Lütgens Matthias, Polei Stefan, Vollmar Brigitte, Buettner Andreas, Langner Sönke, Weber Marc-André, Beller Ebba
Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
Eur Radiol Exp. 2025 Jul 9;9(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s41747-025-00605-x.
Differentiation between saltwater and freshwater immersion as well as estimating the corpse's time in water can be challenging. We aimed to establish and examine the feasibility of a novel approach based on sodium magnetic resonance imaging (Na MRI) of the eye to facilitate noninvasive sodium quantification.
Enucleated porcine eyes were immersed in NaCl 0.9%, NaCl 3.0%, NaCl 5.85%, distilled water (DW) or lake water (LW) at different time intervals, followed by Na 7-T MRI sodium quantification.
After 6 h of immersion, a significant difference in vitreous body (VB) sodium concentration was found for NaCl 5.85% versus DW or LW (p ≤ 0.019). After 24 and 48 h of immersion, a significant difference in VB sodium concentration was found for NaCl 5.85% versus DW, LW, NaCl 3.0% or NaCl 0.9%, as well as for NaCl 3.0% versus DW, LW or NaCl 0.9% (p ≤ 0.001). After 24 h of immersion, lens sodium concentration showed a significant difference for NaCl 5.85% versus DW, LW, NaCl 3.0% or NaCl 0.9% (p ≤ 0.009); after 48 h of immersion, for NaCl 5.85% versus DW, LW, NaCl 3.0% or NaCl 0.9% (p ≤ 0.001), as well as for NaCl 3.0% versus DW, LW or NaCl 0.9% (p ≤ 0.007). For VB, sodium concentration changes over immersion time, and exponential curves were fitted to the data.
Using Na MRI in ex vivo porcine eyes with different immersion times in various saltwater concentrations and freshwater equivalents allowed noninvasive quantification of VB and lens sodium concentrations.
Although not a substitute for autopsy, Na MRI assessment of VB and lens sodium concentrations may provide biochemical support in suspected drowning, especially in cases where an internal examination of the body is not authorized or where objections to autopsy are upheld.
Postmortem porcine eyes with different immersion times in saltwater and freshwater. Noninvasive quantification of vitreous body and lens sodium concentrations with Na MRI. Exponential time course of vitreous body sodium concentration in saltwater and freshwater.
区分海水和淡水浸泡以及估计尸体在水中的时间可能具有挑战性。我们旨在建立并检验一种基于眼部钠磁共振成像（Na MRI）的新方法的可行性，以实现无创钠定量分析。
将摘除的猪眼在不同时间间隔浸入0.9%氯化钠溶液、3.0%氯化钠溶液、5.85%氯化钠溶液、蒸馏水（DW）或湖水（LW）中，随后进行7-T Na MRI钠定量分析。
浸泡6小时后，发现5.85%氯化钠溶液组与蒸馏水或湖水组的玻璃体（VB）钠浓度存在显著差异（p≤0.019）。浸泡24小时和48小时后，发现5.85%氯化钠溶液组与蒸馏水、湖水、3.0%氯化钠溶液或0.9%氯化钠溶液组的VB钠浓度存在显著差异，以及3.0%氯化钠溶液组与蒸馏水、湖水或0.9%氯化钠溶液组的VB钠浓度存在显著差异（p≤0.001）。浸泡24小时后，晶状体钠浓度在5.85%氯化钠溶液组与蒸馏水、湖水、3.0%氯化钠溶液或0.9%氯化钠溶液组之间存在显著差异（p≤0.009）；浸泡48小时后，5.85%氯化钠溶液组与蒸馏水、湖水、3.0%氯化钠溶液或0.9%氯化钠溶液组之间存在显著差异（p≤0.001），以及3.0%氯化钠溶液组与蒸馏水、湖水或0.9%氯化钠溶液组之间存在显著差异（p≤0.007）。对于VB，钠浓度随浸泡时间变化，并对数据拟合指数曲线。
在不同盐水浓度和淡水等效物中浸泡不同时间的离体猪眼中使用Na MRI可实现对VB和晶状体钠浓度的无创定量分析。
尽管Na MRI对VB和晶状体钠浓度的评估不能替代尸检，但在疑似溺水案件中，特别是在未经授权进行尸体内部检查或坚持反对尸检的情况下，可能提供生化支持。
在海水和淡水中浸泡不同时间的死后猪眼。用Na MRI对玻璃体和晶状体钠浓度进行无创定量分析。海水和淡水中玻璃体钠浓度的指数时间进程。
