Differentiation at necropsy between in vivo gas embolism and putrefaction using a gas score

Yara Bernaldo de Quirós; Pedro Saavedra; Andreas Møllerløkken; Alf O Brubakk; Arve Jørgensen; Oscar González-Díaz; Jose L Martín-Barrasa; Antonio Fernández

doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.03.007

Differentiation at necropsy between in vivo gas embolism and putrefaction using a gas score

Res Vet Sci. 2016 Jun:106:48-55. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.03.007. Epub 2016 Mar 9.

Authors

Yara Bernaldo de Quirós¹, Pedro Saavedra², Andreas Møllerløkken³, Alf O Brubakk⁴, Arve Jørgensen⁵, Oscar González-Díaz⁶, Jose L Martín-Barrasa⁷, Antonio Fernández⁸

Affiliations

¹ Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña s/n, 35416 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain. Electronic address: ybernaldo@becarios.ulpgc.es.
² Department of Mathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Campus de Tafira s/n, 35017, Las Palmas, Spain. Electronic address: saavedra@dma.ulpgc.es.
³ Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: andreas.mollerlokken@ntnu.no.
⁴ Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: alfb@ntnu.no.
⁵ Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: arve.jorgensen@ntnu.no.
⁶ Physical and Chemical Instrumental Center for the Development of Applied Research Technology and Scientific estate, Edificio Polivalente 1, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Campus de Tafira s/n, 35017, Las Palmas, Spain. Electronic address: oscar.gonzalez@ulpgc.es.
⁷ Multidisciplinary Organ Dysfunction Evaluation Research Network, Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria, Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Infectious Diseases and Fish Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña s/n, 35416 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain. Electronic address: joseluis.martin@ulpgc.es.
⁸ Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña s/n, 35416 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain. Electronic address: afernandez@dmor.ulpgc.es.

PMID: 27234535
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.03.007

Abstract

Gas bubble lesions consistent with decompression sickness in marine mammals were described for the first time in beaked whales stranded in temporal and spatial association with military exercises. Putrefaction gas is a post-mortem artifact, which hinders the interpretation of gas found at necropsy. Gas analyses have been proven to help differentiating putrefaction gases from gases formed after hyperbaric exposures. Unfortunately, chemical analysis cannot always be performed. Post-mortem computed tomography is used to study gas collections, but many different logistical obstacles and obvious challenges, like the size of the animal or the transport of the animal from the stranding location to the scanner, limit its use in stranded marine mammals. In this study, we tested the diagnostic value of an index-based method for characterizing the amount and topography of gas found grossly during necropsies. For this purpose, putrefaction gases, intravenously infused atmospheric air, and gases produced by decompression were evaluated at necropsy with increased post-mortem time in New Zealand White Rabbits using a gas score index. Statistical differences (P<0.001) were found between the three experimental models immediately after death. Differences in gas score between in vivo gas embolism and putrefaction gases were found significant (P<0.05) throughout the 67h post-mortem. The gas score-index is a new and simple method that can be used by all stranding networks, which has been shown through this study to be a valid diagnostic tool to distinguish between fatal decompression, iatrogenic air embolism and putrefaction gases at autopsies.

Keywords: Decompression; Gas bubbles; Gas embolism; Putrefaction; Stranded marine mammals; Venous gas index.

MeSH terms

Animals
Autopsy / methods*
Cetacea*
Gases
Models, Animal
Postmortem Changes*
Rabbits

Substances

Gases