Unexpected active tuberculosis on Post Mortem CT: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Unexpected active tuberculosis (TB) at autopsy represents a serious transmissible health risk to mortuary and laboratory staff. Post Mortem CT (PMCT) is widely accepted as a valuable adjunct to autopsy throughout the world, but the uptake and implementation varies from country to country. We present a case of unexpected active TB on PMCT and review the literature on the incidence of and risks from the condition. We use this unexpected finding, and the fact that PMCT was in this case also able to provide the information for parts I and II of the Death Certificate as a further argument for the routine use of PMCT by all Forensic Institutes.

Keywords: Forensics; Post Mortem CT; Tuberculosis.