Autopsy Of The Pregnant Woman

In 2003, the United States Death Certificate was revised to require information about the decedent’s gestational status at autopsy and in the year before death. Analysis of this information revealed a shocking and unexpected truth: previous statistical estimates of violent death in pregnancy were vastly underreported. The most common manner of death in American pregnant women is homicide. This work will cover a short history of death during pregnancy and childbirth, and review the studies which revealed the prevalence of fatal violence against pregnant women. The gross and anatomic findings in deaths due to natural causes will be reviewed including amniotic fluid embolus, hemorrhage, peripartum infection, and coronary artery dissection. Autopsy of the Pregnant Woman is distinguished from other works in the field not only by its subject matter, but also by inclusion of specific recommendations pertaining to proper dissection technique, report content and structure, the collection, storage, and transport of specimens for paternity testing, and methods of fetal aging. A valuable guide to the autopsy of the pregnant woman for forensic pathologists and trainees in current medico-legal practice. Outlines the dissection techniques, specimen collection protocols, and methods of fetal age determination necessary to generate a pathologically and legally sound autopsy report. Includes color photographs, both gross and microscopic, as well as schematics to clearly demonstrate autopsy techniques.

The book discusses about 45 cases of maternal autopsies. These maternal mortalities are related to pregnancy-related diseases, pre-existing diseases that worsen or manifest during pregnancy and diseases for which pregnant patient has increased risk. As the study of maternal mortality is a healthcare quality indicator and plays an important role in the improvement of obstetric care, the book aims at discussing autopsy findings, which is the gold standard for establishing not only the causes of death, but also to uncover the various pathological lesions produced by the physiologic phenomenon of pregnancy. This helps in identifying the direct and indirect causes, which can be reviewed at multidisciplinary review meetings. The chapters are arranged according to direct and indirect causes of maternal death, involving varied target organ systems i.e. central nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastro-intestinal tract, hepato-biliary system and pancreas, urinary system, female genital tract and others. However, it does not include diseases coincidental in pregnancy. Each case begins with the complete case history (age, duration of pregnancy, clinical presentation, investigations, clinical diagnosis, therapy, and course during ward stay, if any), autopsy findings, followed by a clinico-pathological discussion and includes appropriate gross organ and microscopic images. The book caters to the specialists in pathology, obstetrics, general medicine, critical care, surgery, pulmonologists, cardiology and all those involved in the care of pregnant women.

The best way to grasp the essence of death scene investigation (DSI) is to witness its application, called the psychological autopsy, by an expert forensic scientist/clinician. This remarkable book affords the opportunity to delve into the challenges that the forensic mental health specialist and public safety professional confront in DSI. Suicides, and often death, are complex, multidetermined events. People, whether police investigators or mental health professionals, are generally perplexed, and even confused, when they are confronted by the equivocal case. Was it a suicide? Homicide? Accident? These are critical questions. Dr. Leenaars shows that DSI is, however, not mysterious; the reader can learn the generally accepted, evidence-based protocols of the psychological autopsy. Illuminated by individual (idiographic) case studies and general (nomothetic) research, this definitive guide allows the investigator to uncover the bare bones of a suicide or death.

Essentials of Autopsy Practice updates the modern pathologist on issues related to the autopsy. This volume contains topical chapters on the pathology of shock, religious attitudes to death, incised wounds, radiological investigations, metabolic disorders in childhood, maternal deaths, body alterations and piercings which are comprehensive, unique and educational. It brings the literature together into a modern, up-to-date review of the subject, each authored by experts in their field. It comprises the most recent developments in current autopsy practice making the book unique and exceptional - a valuable aid for the bench top, autopsy suite, laboratory or library. A hands-on reference book, Essentials of Autopsy Practice is of interest to both trainees and consultants in all sub-branches of pathology including forensic pathology. It can also be used by non-medical staff involved in the dead, such as nurses, police, lawyers and bereavement officers.

Recent advances in medical technology have provided healthcare staff with the possibility of maintaining the life of a brain-dead pregnant woman on life-support in order to achieve successful delivery of the foetus. Management of Post-Mortem Pregnancy examines the legal and ethical difficulties surrounding such post-mortem management.

Cocaine has recently been shown to affect the outcome of pregnancy when taken by pregnant women. The authors measured fetal concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine and reviewed autopsy and historical data for 62 successive infants who died at less than two days of age and were seen at the Los Angeles County Office of the Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner. Of 43 infants without an obvious cause of death at autopsy, cocaine or benzoylecgonine or both were present in 40%. None of the parameters studied predicted which infants would show cocaine or benzoylecgonine. We conclude that cocaine and benzoylecgonine concentrations should be measured on all infants who die at less than two days of age when the cause of death is not evident at gross autopsy.

Forensic Pathology is a comprehensive reference that uses a case-oriented format to address, explain and guide the reader through the varied topics encountered by forensic pathologists. Developed in response to a severe void in the literature, the book addresses topics ranging from medicolegal investigation of death to death scene investigation, forensic autopsy, and artifacts of resuscitation as well as complications of medical therapy, forensic osteology, forensic odontology, forensic photography, and death certification. The book includes various types of cases, including sudden natural death, asphyxia, motor vehicle collisions, death in custody, child abuse and elder abuse, acute psychiatric and emotional deaths, and pregnancy. It contains sample descriptions of pathological lesions which serve to aid pathologists in reporting their findings to law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and others involved in investigations of sudden death. The concepts outlined in the text are beautifully illustrated by large, colorful photographs. There are also "Do and Don’t" sections at the end of each chapter that provide guidance for handling the types of cases examined. This work will benefit not only experienced forensic pathologists, but also hospital pathologists who occasionally performs medicolegal autopsies; doctors in training; medical examiners; law enforcement personnel; crime scene investigators; attorneys; and fellows and students of the medical sciences. Large, colorful photographs which beautifully illustrate the concepts outlined in the text. Sample descriptions of pathological lesions which serve to aid pathologists in reporting their findings to law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and others involved in investigations of sudden death. 'Do and Don't' sections at the end of each chapter which provide guidance for handling the types of cases examined within preceding sections.

Each year more than 4 million children are born with birth defects. This book highlights the unprecedented opportunity to improve the lives of children and families in developing countries by preventing some birth defects and reducing the consequences of others. A number of developing countries with more comprehensive health care systems are making significant progress in the prevention and care of birth defects. In many other developing countries, however, policymakers have limited knowledge of the negative impact of birth defects and are largely unaware of the affordable and effective interventions available to reduce the impact of certain conditions. Reducing Birth Defects: Meeting the Challenge in the Developing World includes descriptions of successful programs and presents a plan of action to address critical gaps in the understanding, prevention, and treatment of birth defects in developing countries. This study also recommends capacity building, priority research, and institutional and global efforts to reduce the incidence and impact of birth defects in developing countries.

Determining the cause of death in children and young adults can pose considerable challenges. Professor Byard provides for the first time a complete overview of pathological aspects of sudden death in the young, from before birth to middle adult life. Highly illustrated with more than 800 colour figures, this third edition contains new sections on sexual abuse, pregnancy-related deaths and rare natural diseases, as well as expanded coverage of unexpected death in young adults up to the age of 30 years. Chapters are organised by systems and cover all aspects of natural death, as well as accidents, suicides and homicides. Supported by extensive referencing and numerous tables, the book can also be used as a practical autopsy manual. An encyclopaedic overview and analysis of sudden death in the young, this is a key text for pediatric and forensic pathologists, pediatricians, and lawyers and physicians involved in medicolegal cases.

Now in full colour, this new and revised edition of The Hospital Autopsy presents a clear and systematic approach to safe and effective modern autopsy practice for pathologists. It begins by discussing issues such as legislation governing autopsies, religious attitudes and ensuring safety, before covering the procedures of external examination, evisceration, dissection of internal organs and report writing. Six new chapters have been added and contemporary specialist techniques, such as near virtual autopsy, are covered in depth, with chapters devoted to complex issues including perinatal autopsies, maternal deaths and autopsies where the cause of death is unascertained. The Hospital Autopsy is an indispensable resource for pathologists in training, as well as a concise reference for practicing pathologists and autopsy technicians.

The Atlas of Adult Autopsy Pathology is a full-color atlas for those performing, or learning to perform, adult autopsies. It is arranged by organ systems and also includes chapters on external examination findings, the effect of decomposition, and histopathological findings, as well as procedures and devices one may encounter during autopsy.The boo

Hypertensive disorders remain one the major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and death. It is also a leading cause of preterm birth now known to be a risk factor in remote cardiovascular disease. Despite this, the hypertensive disorders remain marginally studied, and their management is commonly controversial. Chesley’s Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy remains one of the beacons to guide this field, recognized for its uniqueness and utility. The Third Edition continues this tradition, focusing on prediction, prevention, and management for clinicians, and is an essential reference text for clinical and basic investigators alike. Differing from other texts devoted to preeclampsia, it covers the whole gamut of high blood pressure, not just preeclampsia. NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION: *

This superbly illustrated book examines all aspects of the use of modern post-mortem imaging in forensic investigations, which has flourished since the introduction of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Readers will find guidance on the applications of all relevant imaging modalities and contrast media. Analogies and differences between forensic and clinical imaging are highlighted, and it is explained what lessons forensic imaging holds for clinical radiology, and vice versa. The remainder of the book comprehensively documents the typical “normal” post-mortem findings and the imaging presentations in various forms of trauma and nontraumatic forensic cases, including those in which medical liability may be an issue. The authors are radiologists and forensic radiologists from across the world who have extensive experience in post-mortem imaging. The book is primarily intended for forensic pathologists, radiologists, and radiographers seeking practical information on forensic imaging, but it will also be of interest to others, such as lawyers, who encounter this specialty during their professional activities.

- Over 200 exquisite illustrations, ranging from intraoperative photographs, line drawings, diagnostic images, pathology slides, tables and graphs are available to make each case discussed comprehensible and easy to follow. - Traditional and novel therapeutic recommendations are introduced and the latest developments in minimal-access operative techniques are discussed and reviewed. - Focuses on a teamwork oriented approach that identifies the necessary communications amongst the many medical disciplines when dealing with adrenal disorders.