Title: Histopathological Surprises in Medico legal Autopsies - A Two Year Experience
Authors: Dr M. Sindhura, Dr R. Vijaya Bhaskar, Dr C. V. Lakshmi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i2.70
Abstract
Introduction: Histopathological examination in medico-legal autopsies provides an opportunity for studying medically diagnosed diseases and natural evolution of untreated diseases. Many incidental findings have proved to be of great academic value and serve as an eye opener to the infrequent lesions which go unnoticed when a person is alive.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the spectrum of histopathological findings in medico-legal autopsies and to record interesting and unexpected pathological findings.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of internal organs in 262 medicolegal cases, received over a period of two years, was undertaken in the department of pathology, to determine the spectrum of histopathological findings and to highlight incidental lesions in autopsies.
Results: The study consisted of a series of 262 autopsy cases. The commonest cause of death was pulmonary oedema. The most common incidental histopathological finding noted was atherosclerosis in 59 (22.5%) cases followed by fatty liver in 45 (17.1%) cases. Some rare and unexpected pathology like giant cell myocarditis, pulmonary hamartoma, double lesions (adenocarcinoma with tuberculosis), aortic dissection and broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis were encountered.
Conclusion: Histopathology in medicolegal autopsy plays a vital role to identify unexpected pathology including rare lesions and to detect true prevalence of various diseases.
Keywords: Medicolegal autopsy, Histopathology, Giant cell myocarditis, Pulmonary hamartoma, Aortic dissection.
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