5. The Autopsy Flashcards
5 Reasons for hospital autopsy
Thorough examination Audit Monitor effectiveness of new treatment Teaching Research
Why is Coroners autopsy conducted?
To establish cause of death
Consent and Hospital autopsy
Consent must be obtained
Any material can be taken
Consent and Coroners autopsy
No consent required
Material only taken if bears upon cause of death
Death certificate format
1a Immediate cause
1b Predisposing factor
1c Predisposing factor
2 Other contributing factors
What is it impossible to die without?
1a
4 Common causes of sudden unexpected death- cardiovascular
Coronary artery disease
Hypertensive heart disease
Cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis
Common causes of sudden unexpected death- Vascular
Ruptured Aortic Aneurism
2 Common causes of sudden unexpected death- Respiratory
Pulmonary embolus
Asthma
3 Common causes of sudden unexpected death- CNS
Non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage
Intracerebral haemorrhage
Epilepsy
3 Common causes of sudden unexpected death- GIT
Bleeding Oesophageal Varices
Bleeding Ulcers
Pancreatitis
3 Other causes of sudden unexpected death
Drugs
Alcohol
Trauma
5 Types of injury
Bruise Abrasion Laceration Cut Stab
Bruise
Blunt trauma injury
Collection of blood leaking from damaged vessel (NOT CAPILLARIES)
Abrasion
Graze or scratch
On epidermis
Laceration
Split to skin due to blunt force trauma
Cut
Split in skin = longer than it is deep
Stab
Split in skin= deeper than it is long
11 Cases that must be reported to Coroner
COD unknown
Deceased not been seen by DR after/ 14 days before death
Death was violent, unnatural or suspicious
Death may be due to an accident
Death may be due to neglect
Death may be due to industrial disease/ employment
Death may be due to abortion
Death occurred during operation/ under anaesthetic
Death may be due to suicide
Death occurred during/ just after police/ prison custody
Death may be related to poisoning
