Histopathological Techniques in Pathomorphological Diagnostics PDF

Autopsy Procedure An autopsy is a medical procedure performed after death to determine the cause of death, investigate disease processes, or evaluate injuries. It involves a detailed examination of the body, both externally and internally, by a pathologist. Steps in an Autopsy: 1. External E...

Autopsy Procedure An autopsy is a medical procedure performed after death to determine the cause of death, investigate disease processes, or evaluate injuries. It involves a detailed examination of the body, both externally and internally, by a pathologist. Steps in an Autopsy: 1. External Examination: ○ The autopsy starts with a thorough examination of the outside of the body. ○ The pathologist looks at the skin, checks for any injuries, bruises, scars, surgical wounds, or abnormalities (e.g., rashes or discolorations). ○ They document the physical appearance of the body, including height, weight, and any visible marks. 2. Internal Examination: ○ After the external exam, the internal organs are examined. To do this, the pathologist makes a Y-shaped incision from the shoulders down to the chest and abdomen. The Y-shaped incision is used in autopsies to provide a clear and effective way to access the internal organs while minimising damage to the surrounding tissues. The incision starts at the shoulders and extends down to the midline of the abdomen, forming a "Y" shape at the chest. This design allows the pathologist to open the chest and abdominal cavities simultaneously, facilitating a thorough examination of vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and liver, while also making it easier to close the incision afterward. This technique ensures that the internal examination is both comprehensive and efficient. ○ The chest and abdominal cavities are opened, and the rib cage is removed to access the organs inside (heart, lungs, liver, stomach, etc.). ○ Each organ is removed carefully, one by one, and examined. The organs are weighed, measured, and cut into sections to check for disease or abnormalities. 3. Brain Examination: ○ If necessary, the brain is also examined. To access it, the scalp is cut, and the skull is opened. ○ The brain is removed and checked for signs of trauma, bleeding, or disease (like stroke or tumors). 4. Microscopic Examination: ○ Small samples of tissues from different organs are taken during the autopsy. ○ These samples are processed in the histopathology lab, where they are stained and examined under a microscope to look for specific cellular changes (like infection, cancer, or other diseases). 5. Toxicology and Laboratory Testing: ○ Blood, urine, and other bodily fluids are collected during the autopsy. ○ These samples are tested for drugs, alcohol, or poisons (toxicology tests), which can sometimes help explain the cause of death. 6. Final Report: ○ After all the examinations and tests are completed, the pathologist compiles the findings in a report. ○ This report will detail the condition of the organs, any injuries or abnormalities, and give a conclusion on the cause of death (e.g., heart attack, infection, or trauma). ○ In some cases, it can also help answer questions about how the disease progressed before death. Types of Autopsies: Clinical Autopsy: Performed to understand the disease process and cause of death in hospital patients, often for medical research or quality control in healthcare. Forensic Autopsy: Performed in cases of suspicious or unexplained deaths (e.g., accidents, homicides). These autopsies help with legal investigations. Why Autopsies are Important: Clarifying the Cause of Death: It provides a clear and definitive understanding of why someone died, especially when it wasn’t obvious. Understanding Disease Progression: It helps doctors learn more about how diseases affect the body, which can improve medical treatments and knowledge.  Legal and Public Health Reasons: In forensic cases, autopsies can determine if the death was due to unnatural causes (such as murder or accidents). They can also help detect outbreaks of infectious diseases or public health issues. Key Points: External and Internal Examination: Autopsies involve both looking at the outside of the body and examining internal organs. Organ and Tissue Study: All major organs are examined for disease or injury. Tissue samples are taken for microscopic study. Cause of Death: The primary goal is to determine the cause of death and understand any underlying medical conditions. Summary:- An autopsy is a medical procedure performed after death to determine the cause of death, evaluate injuries, or understand disease processes that may have affected the individual before they died. It involves a thorough examination of the body, both internally and externally. There are two main types of autopsies: forensic autopsies, which are conducted to determine the cause of death for legal purposes, and clinical autopsies, which are performed primarily for research and educational purposes within the medical field. There are six main steps in performing an autopsy: 1. External Examination: This involves inspecting the skin to check for bruises, discoloration, surgical scars, wounds, or other injuries. 2. Internal Examination: The pathologist makes a Y-shaped incision from shoulder to shoulder and down the abdomen. This allows for access to internal organs such as the liver, stomach, and heart. Each organ is examined for size, weight, and signs of disease or injury. 3. Brain Examination: An incision is made in the scalp, and a portion of the skull is removed to access the brain. This examination checks for any underlying issues, such as bleeding or trauma, that may have contributed to the individual's death. 4. Microscopic Examination: Tissue samples are taken from various organs and processed. This includes dehydrating the samples with alcohol, clearing them with chemicals, and embedding them in paraffin wax to facilitate cutting. The samples are then stained with dyes and examined under a microscope to look for cellular abnormalities. 5. Toxicological Examination: Samples of blood, urine, and other fluids are collected and analysed for substances that should not be present, such as drugs, alcohol, or poisons. 6. Report: Finally, the pathologist compiles a report detailing their findings, including the cause of death, any diseases or injuries found, and any other relevant information.