Multidetector CT findings of skeletal chest injuries secondary to cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Resuscitation complications encountered in forensic autopsy cases performed in XXX province.

“…Regardless, in general, an autopsy is the best method for detecting resuscitation complications. [6,11,12] According to the above mentioned studies, detailed autopsy is still the most sensitive method.…”

“…For sternum fractures, the incidences were 1-43% by autopsy and 0-26% by X-ray. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] However, in a prospective CT study performed in patients who were resuscitated as a result of successful BLS, the incidence of rib fractures amounted to 31% and that of sternum fractures to 4%. [6] The third, fourth, and fifth ribs, especially on the left side of the sternum, were fractured most often.…”

“…[14] However, according to the study of Buschmann and Tsokos and many researches performed, fractures usually occur at the midclavicular line. [6][7][8][9][11][12][13] In three studies conducted in Turkey in 2003, 2008, and 2010, most rib fractures were reported to occur at the midclavicular line. [7,8,15] The results of our study were consistent with the literature reports, in that most rib fractures occurred at the midclavicular line.…”

“…Similar results have been reported in domestic and foreign research studies. [7,8,[10][11][12]15,16] Having analysed the results in terms of skin complications and internal organ damage, in the cases of distant organs (e.g., retinal haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage) and internal organ damage, their occurrence is not common. When compressing the thorax, stress created by increased thoracic pressure affects many organs.…”

“…Krischer and colleagues have reported in detail on ten complications, mentioned above, among 705 cases, while Paaske and colleagues have noticed three complications among 268 cases. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Life-threatening complications were rare in these studies.…”