Autopsy

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Author: Mikael Häggström [note 1]

Comprehensiveness

Factors supporting a relatively more comprehensive autopsy and/or report, particularly in the inclusion of negated findings:

  • Lack of explanation from existing evidence. On the other hand, for example, upon finding an obvious aortic rupture, the rest of the autopsy is less relevant and may be relatively short.
  • Double-reading: If your report is likely to undergo double reading by another pathologist before sign-out, it needs to be more detailed, because the doctor who will do the double-reading then knows that you have looked at those locations.
  • Highly suspected locations, such as given from the referral.

On this resource, the following formatting is used for comprehensiveness:

  • Minimal depth
  • (Moderate depth)
  • ((Comprehensive))

Basic checklist of non-forensic autopsy

There are many variants, with the following being a suggestion:

Heart

edit

  • Remove the parietal pericardium
  • Separate the heart from the from lungs by cutting through the major vessels. The pulmonary artery should be cut first and the lumen inspected for any pulmonary embolism.
  • Weigh the heart.
  • Dissect the coronary vessels.   Further information: Arteries
  • On the right side of the heart, dissect in the direction of blood flow: Superior vena cava > right atrium > tricuspid valve > right ventricle. Look for thromboses or patent foramen ovale.[note 2]
  • Dissect the atrial appendages, to exclude thromboses.
  • Dissect the left ventricle, such as into circumferential slices from the apex to the base.[note 3] Inspect (and measure) the left ventricular wall thickness.
Valve circumferences are measured at the basal ring (bottom in image).
  • (Measure the circumferences of the four valves. Cutoffs for valve dilatation:[1]
  • Mitral valve: circumference greater than 9.9 cm in males and 9.1 cm in females
  • Aortic valve: circumference greater than 8.5 cm in males and 7.9 cm in females
  • Tricuspid valve: circumference greater than 11.8 cm in males and 11.1 cm in females
  • Pulmonic valve: circumference greater than 7.5 cm in males and 7.4 cm in females)

Look for signs of myocardial infarction. Further information: Heart autopsy and Autopsy of myocardial infarction

Other thorax

  • Dissect the aorta, with an anterior approach to the aortic arch and major branches, and posterior approach to the descending thoracic aorta. Check for thrombosis and degree of atherosclerosis. Then separate the descending thoracic aorta from the esophagus.
Relations of the aorta, trachea, esophagus and other heart structures
  • Dissect the pulmonary arterial system, from the pulmonary trunk and including at least segmental arteries. To avoid cutting through the left main bronchus (passing anteriorly to the left main pulmonary artery), the initial dissection of the left main pulmonary artery may begin from an anterior perspective but keeping the cuts along the posterior wall, until the dissection can be seen and be continued from a posterior approach. Check the pulmonary arteries for thrombosis.
  • Esophagus: Distinguish from trachea and dissect
Blood clots[2]
Pre-mortem Post-mortem
Tumor embolus in the main pulmonary artery.jpg
Texture Dull Shiny
Wall adherence Yes No
Color Grey. Possibly zebraic appearance by lines of Zahn, with mixed red and grey/yellow Dark purple or bilayered yellow/red (by gravity sedimentation)
Pressurized Yes, can eject from lumen No, needs to be pulled-out
Consistency Firm and brittle Elastic, jellylike
  • Dissect the trachea and the bronchial tree, at least to segmental bronchi. Check for obstructions.
  • Make some additional sections through the lung parenchyma. Squeeze at each side to detect any pus and edema.[3] Further information: Lung autopsy.
  • Cut each thyroid lobe in horizontal slices and inspect the parenchyma.
  • Look for enlarged lymph nodes in the hilar and paratracheal area.

Retroperitoneal

For orientation, the coeliac trunk and mesenteric arteries exit the aorta from the anterior side.

  • Dissect the descending abdominal aorta. Cut external iliac artery from a dorsal approach, or after freeing ureters.[notes 1]
  • Dissect the renal arteries until entry into kidneys
  • Make a couple of cuts through the adrenal glands, such as transversal ones, and look mainly for tumors.
  • Cut the kidneys in the coronal planes. Further information: Kidney autopsy.
  • Dissect the ureters to the bladder.
  • Dissect the prostate and urinary bladder by an anterior approach. Dissect the ureteropelvic junctions.
  • Dissect the rectum

Peritoneal

  • Remove the diaphragm and excess omentum
  • Dissect the ventricle along the greater curvature, as well as the duodenum and the esophageal entry into the ventricle
  • Dissect the extrahepatic biliary tract: Identify the ampulla of Vater, possibly by bile flow when squeezing the gallbladder. Dissect the common bile duct, cystic duct and gallbladder.Further information: Gallbladder
  • Make consecutive liver slices, such as in the sagittal or coronal plane. Further information: Liver
"Long" and "short" axis.[4]
  • Make consecutive short axis slices through the spleen and pancreas[notes 2].

Brain

  • Inspect: Grooves indicating herniation? Hemorrhages?
  • Dissect the basilar artery and circle of Willis, either before or after separation from the brain. Look mainly for thromboses.
  • Separate the brainstem, cerebellum and cerebrum, which may be done by first separating the former two together from the cerebrum. Slice each part, looking for hemorrhages and/or infarcts.

Weighing

Separate and weigh these organs:

Tissue sampling

Any tissues where histopathology may aid in establishing the cause of death. If there is no clear cause of death macroscopically after an autopsy, take routine samples:

  • Heart
  • (Each lobe of) each lung
  • Liver
  • Each kidney

Reporting of non-forensic autopsy

Template

Annotations used in this example
[5]

<< Decision needed between alternatives separated by / signs >>
{{Common findings / In case of findings}}
[[Comments]]
Organs or important regions are in bold in this example for clarity, but does not need to be in an actual report.

Data
  • Autopsy No.: ________
  • (Hospital No.:000046)
  • Patient name: Bloggs, Joe
  • (Patient No.:
  • (Ward :_______)
  • Age [[or birthdate]]: _____
  • (Sex: ______)
  • (Race: ______)
  • (Permission: From [[usually close relative of the patient]])
  • Date (and time) of death: ______
  • Date (and time) of autopsy: ______
  • (Date of report: _________)
  • Attending physician: _______
  • (Prosector:__________)
  • {{Limitation of the autopsy}} [[such as restriction to thorax only]].
Final autopsy diagnosis

[[List of pertinent findings, generally starting with the most relevant for the cause of death, and ending with less relevant and incidental findings. May be placed by the bottom of the report.]]

(Clinical history

_________)

(Laboratory data

_________)

External inspection

((The autopsy is performed approximately __ hours after death. The body is a ((well developed,)) << ((well nourished)) / {{underweight / overweight}}>> (__ year old [[if not already given in data]]) << woman / man >>. Lengths is __ cm and weight is __ kg.

Usual signs of death. (Rigor mortis is << well marked / broken >>. Lividity is seen on the << front / back and/or side >>.

(On the torso there are no puncture marks or healed surgical scars.)((There is no jaundice or peripheral edema. The head is not deformed. The sclerae, cornea and lenses are clear. The nose and external ears are unremarkable and their passages are clear. The lips and gums show no lesions and the patient is not edentulous. The neck structures are symmetrical, and there are no unusual masses. The thorax has normal contour and symmetry. [[In females:]] breasts and nipples are unremarkable. External abdominal palpation detects no abnormal masses or fluid waves. The extremities show no scars or deformities. No palpable inguinal masses. [[In males:]] The testes are descended and without abnormal masses.))

Internal inspection

{{Overall severe autolysis, making pathologic assessment difficult.}}

Serous cavities

No increased amount of fluid in the pericardial, pleural or abdominal cavities. Serous surfaces are smooth and lustrous. (((No signs of inflammation. No adhesions.))

Circulatory system

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The heart << has normal weight / is enlarged [[ > 399 g in women and> 449 g in men]] >>, weighing ___ g. ((The epicardium is transparent. There is a moderate amount of subepicardial fat.

Normal configuration (No atrial or ventricular dilation. No ventricular wall thickening) / {{The left ventricle has {{concentric}} hypertrophy, with a wall thickness of ___ mm.}} ((No atrial or ventricular dilation. The right and left auricular appendage is unremarkable. The left ventricular wall thickness is __ cm and the right is ___. The trabeculae carneae are normal ({[Finding-begin}}/ prominent /flattened}}.))
[[A comprehensive report may describe each atrium, valve and ventricle etc. in order of blood flow.]]

(Foramen ovale is closed.) ((The ductus arteriosus is obliterated))
The coronary arteries ((arise in normal position. The coronary ostia are << patent {{partially occluded by arteriosclerotic calcification}}>>. They)) have << no / mild / moderate / severe >> {{and partially calcified}}
arteriosclerosis. They are traced, ((throughout their length by transverse sections)) {{after fixation and decalcification}} <<without significant constrictions.{{ / The lumina of the left anterior descending, right coronary, and left circumflex coronary arteries are _%, _%, and _% narrowed, respectively.}} [[If the degree of stenosis on microscopy sections of coronary arteries only differ slightly from the gross description, preferably write "mild/moderate/severe atherosclerosis consistent with the gross inspection."]] (Gross measurement of coronary artery stenosis is generally more accurate than microscopic measurement, so the former generally has precedence.)

No thrombi in the cardiac atria (including auricles), chambers or coronary arteries.

Chordae tendineae, the endocardium and heart valves are unremarkable. (The endocardium is smooth and shiny. Chordae tendineae are unremarkable. The valves are normal in number, and are thin and fine at the openings.) ((The endocardium is smooth, transparent and free of mural thrombi. The valve leaflets and chordae tendinae are overall delicate, pliable and free of lesion or calcification. <<Its leaflets are thin and pliable / No signs of inflammation>>.
  • The tricuspid valve <is / is not> dilated, measuring _cm in circumference.
  • The pulmonic valve <is / is not> dilated, measuring _cm in circumference. It is composed of <<two / three>> cusps which are discrete and pliable.
  • The mitral valve <is / is not> dilated, measuring _cm in circumference. Its leaflets are thin and pliable {{/ redundant / adherent to each other}}.
  • The aortic valve <is / is not> dilated, measuring _ cm in circumference. It is composed of <<two / three>> cusps which are thin and pliable.

{{The cusps are calcified at the bases / adherent to each other.}} {{The valve displays mild / moderate / severe myxomatous degeneration.}} The epicardium and subepicardium are unremarkable. The papillary muscles are normal {{ / hypertrophied}}))

The myocardium has ((a homogeneous reddish brown color, and)) no signs of <<fresh lesion / ((areas of necrosis or hemorrhage))>> (or scar){{/ streaks of white scar tissue}}. In the aorta (and its major branches) there are {{widespread}} << no / mild / moderate / severe >> arteriosclerosis. No aneurysm. (Renal arteries have no significant stenosis. No thrombus in (vena cava, ) the pulmonary arteries ((or the pulmonary veins)).

Respiratory system
The larynx, trachea and bronchi are normally configured, with non-irritated lining. ((Larynx has normal configuration. The vocal cords are smooth and symmetrical. The trachea and the larger bronchi have non-irritated lining. No ulceration.

No foreign content is found. ((Normal lobar structure. No tumor. No visible signs of inflammation.))
The lungs have << normal / increased >> weight, of __ g on the right and ___ g on the left. (The consistency is normal {{/ increased.}}<nowiki></font><font color=red>)</font><br>Cut Surfaces are unremarkably dark red, with no definable tumors<font color=red>( or bleeding)</font>.<br><font color="green"><nowiki>{{Watery and frothy liquid is pressed from the parenchyma, indicating pulmonary edema.}}
{{Multiple rib fractures, consistent with CPR.}}

Digestive system

((The tongue has no bleeding.))

The esophagus, stomach and intestines are ordinarily configured, without tumors or blood in the lumen. ((The esophageal mucosa has normal thickness and no irritation. No diverticula or varices.
The ventricle is of normal size, with normal content. Its << mucosa shows no signs of lesions
/ {{mild / moderate erosions, but no ulceration}}.
The duodenum, jejunum and ileum and colon are ordinarily configured with non-irritated lining. Content is normal. No visible tumor. The appendix is non-irritated and of normal size.

{{Colonic diverticula without perforation.}}

The liver weighs ___g. The liver is << of normal size / {{enlarged}}, at ___g. [[Men: 970-1860 g.[6] Women 600-1770g.[7].]]

The surface is smooth. << Normal/ {{/ firm}} consistency. Cut surface is normal / << (shows normal homogeneous brown parenchyma) / {{Yellowish color, indicating steatosis}} / {{dark nutmeg similar paths, indicating congestion}}. (No focal changes.) Template:Gallbladder report The (extrahepatic) bile ducts are open(, ordinary and without gallstones in the lumen).
The pancreas has normal size (and shape). Cut surfaces are normal(( without bleeding or definable focal changes)).

Lymphoid and endocrine organs

The spleen is of << normal size {{ / Enlarged [[> 230g]]}}>>, at ___ g. Normal consistency / {{ Firm consistency indicating of chronic venous stasis}}. Cut surfaces have normal appearance / ( normal bluish-red color, with no definable focal changes).
The thyroid and adrenal glands are normal bilaterally / (are ordinarily configured and with no definable focal changes on cut surfaces).

No abnormal lymph nodes. ( Lymph nodes in para-tracheal, para-aortic and abdominal regions are of normal size, texture and color.)
((No definable focal changes on cut surfaces.))
Urogenital
Sex Weight, standard reference range
Right kidney Left kidney
Men[6] 80–160 g (2.8–5.6 oz) 80–175 g (2.8–6.2 oz)
Women[7] 40–175 g (1.4–6.2 oz) 35–190 g (1.2–6.7 oz)

The kidneys are equally sized / (of normal size, with a total weight of ___ g)((a weight of ___ g on the right side and ___ g on the right)).
(No abnormal adhesions between the kidneys and surrounding fibrous capsules.)
The kidneys have smooth surfaces/ {{Granular surface, possibly indicating nephrosclerosis}}. Cut surfaces have well-defined medulla, cortex, and papillae.
The renal pelvis and ureters are unremarkable /( Renal pelvis and ureters are have normal calibers, with non-irritated mucosal surfaces and open lumens). r
The bladder is unremarkable / ( is of normal size, with normal mucosa. No tumor).
[[Either:]]

  • [[Male]]: The prostate is of normal size ((and has normal color and elastic consistency and color)). (No definable focal changes on cut surfaces.)
  • [[Female]]: Uterus and adnexa are unremarkable.
Central nervous system
The meninges and venous sinuses are unremarkable. ((The dura and venous sinuses are unremarkable. The leptomeninges are thin, shiny and non-irritated, with no visible bleeding.

(No visible thrombi. No subdural hematoma.)
The brain is symmetrical and weighs ___g. Cerebrum and cerebellum hemispheres are of equal size, and has a normal weight of ___g. But: 1.180 to 1.620 g Women: 1.030 to 1.400 g No photo of obstruction. No footprint devices seen on the large base of the brain or the cerebellum. No tumor, malaci or bleeding. Ordinary ventricular. ((Ventricles of the brain is widely normal, with normal siding.))

The tissue of the cerebrum, the cerebellumand brainstem shows normal subscription. On average surfaces seenOrdinary gray and white parenchyma, no bleeding ((, Definable cures or other lesion)). The basal cerebral arteries << are ordinary / Template:Has strong / moderate / call atherosclerotic vägginlagringar>> without aneurysms or thrombus.

SKELETON Calotte and skull base is ordinary. The dome and the base detected no lesions or injuries. ((Ua vertebral column.))

MICRO No samples taken / {{Tissue samples have to be taken from << heart, lungs, liver and / or kidneys >> Supplementary microscopic {{}} and bacteriological examination. ((Survey results will be reported separately.))}}


Diagnosis preliminary diagnosis Clinical diagnoses

Codes:


Notes

  1. Measures are taken to avoid cutting through the ureters.
  2. The pancreas may also be cut in the longitudinal plane.
  1. For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Patholines:Authorship for details.
  2. The right ventricle can alternatively be cut in circumferential slices along with the left ventricle.
  3. An alternative approach is to cut the left ventricle through a cut along the left lateral margin, followed by an anterior cut from the apex to the aortic root, freeing the anterior wall. Then cut through the plane of the myocardium of the anterior and posterior myocardial wall, as well as the septum, for any signs of infarction. (Dissect one or more papillary muscles for infarction.)

Main page

References

  1. Kitzman, Dalane W.; Scholz, David G.; Hagen, Philip T.; Ilstrup, Duane M.; Edwards, William D. (1988). "Age-Related Changes in Normal Human Hearts During the First 10 Decades of Life. Part II (Maturity): A Quantitative Anatomic Study of 765 Specimens From Subjects 20 to 99 Years Old ". Mayo Clinic Proceedings 63 (2): 137–146. doi:10.1016/S0025-6196(12)64946-5. ISSN 00256196. 
    • Griffith, Christopher C.; Raval, Jay S.; Nichols, Larry (2012). "Intravascular Talcosis due to Intravenous Drug Use Is an Underrecognized Cause of Pulmonary Hypertension
    ". Pulmonary Medicine 2012: 1–6. doi:10.1155/2012/617531. ISSN 2090-1836. 
  2. Michael Bonert. Autopsy. Page was last modified: 6 September 2016
  3. Burton, Julian L.; Rutty, Guy N. (2010). The Hospital Autopsy A Manual of Fundamental Autopsy Practice (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0340965146. 
  4. Pellerito, John; Polak, Joseph F. (2012). Introduction to Vascular Ultrasonography (6th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 559. ISBN 978-1-4557-3766-6. 
  5. The report is partially inspired from: Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters url and title must be specified. . State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse, Department of pathology (1997-05-26).
  6. 6.0 6.1 Standard reference range: Molina, D. Kimberley; DiMaio, Vincent J.M. (2012). "Normal Organ Weights in Men ". The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 33 (4): 368–372. doi:10.1097/PAF.0b013e31823d29ad. ISSN 0195-7910. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Standard reference range: Molina, D. Kimberley; DiMaio, Vincent J. M. (2015). "Normal Organ Weights in Women ". The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 36 (3): 182–187. doi:10.1097/PAF.0000000000000175. ISSN 0195-7910. 

Image sources