Pathologists in a teaching institution assess the value of the autopsy.

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Ilene B Bayer-GarnerLaura W Lamps

Abstract

With the advent of modern diagnostic technology, use of the autopsy as a means of assessing diagnostic accuracy has declined precipitously. Interestingly, during the same period, the rate of misdiagnosis found at autopsy has not changed. To ascertain why an autopsy was requested, whether or not questions asked by clinicians were specifically addressed, and what types of misdiagnoses were found. One hundred forty-two consecutive autopsy records from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Hospital were reviewed. In the same period, 715 deaths occurred, giving an overall autopsy rate of 20.14%. Of the 125 autopsies in which the problem-oriented autopsy request was available for review, a reason for the autopsy was given in only 69 cases (55%). One hundred three clinical questions were asked, and of these, 81 were specifically addressed in the final anatomic diagnosis, 10 were addressed in some part of the autopsy report but not in the final anatomic diagnosis, 10 were not addressed at all, and 2 could not be answered by the autopsy. Sixty-one autopsies revealed 81 misdiagnoses: 47 class I (missed major diagnosis that, if detected before death, could have led to a change in management that might have resulted in cure or pr...Continue Reading

References

Feb 1, 1990·Human Pathology·R E AndersonR B Hill
Sep 1, 1989·Mayo Clinic Proceedings·P N NemetzL T Kurland
Jan 5, 1989·The New England Journal of Medicine·D M Berwick
Sep 1, 1974·Acta Medica Scandinavica·M Britton
Apr 28, 1983·The New England Journal of Medicine·L GoldmanM Weisberg
Oct 11, 1980·British Medical Journal·H M CameronH Watson
Jun 28, 1995·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·C Marwick
Mar 1, 1995·Human Pathology·V de Pangher ManziniA Brollo
Feb 1, 1993·Human Pathology·V R SarodeB D Radotra
Jan 1, 1996·Medicine·W Kirch, C Schafii
Jan 1, 1996·Medicine·S J McPhee
Aug 14, 1998·Mayo Clinic Proceedings·T S Welsh, J Kaplan
Oct 24, 1998·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·E C BurtonW P Newman
Oct 24, 1998·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·G D Lundberg
Jan 6, 2000·Lancet·P A Hall
Apr 13, 2000·Archives of Internal Medicine·S Durning, L Cation
May 20, 2000·Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia·S A Bartow
Jun 8, 2001·Forensic Science International : Synergy·P Hoff-OlsenB Olaisen
Jul 7, 2001·BMJ : British Medical Journal·J N Lund, G M Tierney

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 30, 2003·Journal of Clinical Pathology·K M SheehanD M Devaney
Mar 30, 2004·Journal of Clinical Pathology·M H C GradeS B Garcia
Oct 22, 2003·Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·Teresa CoronaJulio Sotelo
Nov 21, 2002·Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·George R Nichols
Apr 6, 2004·European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology·Lars-Christian HornRenaldo Faber
Apr 28, 2004·Southern Medical Journal·Robert P FergusonLoveen Puthumana
Feb 10, 2004·Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·Michael S KentBruce R Madewell
May 1, 2007·Lancet·Julian L Burton, James Underwood
Aug 17, 2021·SAGE Open Medicine·Anders RosendahlLennart C Eriksson
Jan 11, 2008·Annales de pathologie·Denis ChatelainHenri Sevestre
May 1, 2008·The Journal of Pathology·D van SpeybroeckD Ruiter
Jul 14, 2010·Cardiovascular Pathology : the Official Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology·Raffaella SantiGabriella Nesi
Mar 27, 2020·Journal of Patient Safety·Rajshri M GartlandElizabeth Mort
Nov 29, 2011·Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America·Maarten H Lequin, Thierry A G M Huisman
Apr 20, 2005·The Veterinary Quarterly·J H VosP G P M Ziekman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K R PatonI C Potter
Journal of Physical Activity & Health
Kelly Samara SilvaAdair S Lopes
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved