Abstract

Background: The rate of autopsy has declined and has reached to less than 10%. The need for autopsy is still required in the 21st century despite the advancement of radiologic investigations to elaborate the immediate cause of death.

Objective: To analyze the findings on lung autopsy in patients who died of natural causes in hospital setting.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology and Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah Shaheed Benazirabad from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2018.

Patients and Methods: Families of 103 patients consented to undergo lung autopsy.The inclusion criteria includes patient died in the hospital setting due to medical causes and those giving informed consent for autopsy. Patients dying of trauma, due to any surgical intervention and drug overdose were not included in the study. Patients were asked during their life if they wanted to participate in study. Families were also consented and when agreed were included. Patients who consented to participate but refused by the families were not included.

Results: There were 41 females while 62 were males. The mean age was 48±6.7 years. On lung autopsy, 43 had congestion and edema, 21 patients had interstitial changes, 5 patients had granulomatous inflammation, 7 patients had emphysematous changes, 2 patients had fungal colonies, and 15 patients had lung consolidation. Combination of old fibrosis and emphysematous changes were present in 10 patients (p=0.002).

Conclusion: The real reason behind patient’s death which can help in diagnosis and management. In today’s era, there are multiple diagnostic modalities available in the form of radiologic and biochemical form however certain conditions cannot be detected and is found on autopsy.

Keywords: Histopathologic, Lung lesions, Autopsy