Post-mortem MSCT diagnosis of acute pericardial tamponade caused by blunt trauma to the chest in a motor-vehicle collision

A 30-year-old male car driver died after an accident involving a collision with a guardrail barrier on a viaduct. He died before cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was applied at the accident scene. Autopsy was not permitted due to local culture and family wishes. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was used to image the body. The results revealed that death was due to acute pericardial tamponade. A series of rib fractures, and a transverse fracture of the sternum were found. External examination revealed a minor skin abrasion in the middle of the sternum. Reports of MSCT identification of acute pericardial tamponade are rare in cases of motor vehicle collisions. Furthermore, the mechanisms for blunt chest trauma were discussed to explain the injuries.