Possibilities of postmortem radiological studies for evaluation of lung lesions

Purpose. The literature data and the results of our own research, which demonstrate the possibilities of using radiological research methods for the analysis of the lungs lesions in deceased patients, are presented. It is shown that the postmortem computed tomography (CT) allows to identify abnormalities of the chest bones, as well as to establish the presence, precise localization and volume of gas and air accumulations, including pneumothorax. The literature data on the comparison of postmortem CT lung characteristics, including the density of their tissue, with data of histological examination of lung preparations and causes of death in adult patients, are presented. It is noted that postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more expedient for the detection of the lungs pathology in dead fetuses and deceased newborns. The possibilities of postmortem MRI for the diagnosis of congenital pneumonia, hemorrhages in the lung tissue, pulmonary edema, hydrothorax, as well as for differ