Value and Use of Pediatric Postmortem Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

This article focuses on the value and application of postmortem magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as a less invasive alternative or adjunct to traditional autopsy in pediatric and fetal cases involving neurological pathologies. It highlights that while conventional autopsy remains the gold standard for determining cause of death, postmortem MR imaging offers advantages such as superior soft tissue visualization, faster diagnosis, and greater parental acceptance due to its noninvasive nature. The article discusses specific MR imaging protocols, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), and presents case studies demonstrating the modality's ability to detect brain abnormalities like hemorrhages and edema. Limitations include the need for specialized training, potential challenges in interpreting postmortem changes, and restricted availability and cost, but with appropriate education and protocol development, postmortem MR imaging has the potential to become a preferred method in pediatric postmortem investigations.