biopsy and autopsy

Question 1

Weight range for liver

Answer 1

1,100 – 1,600g

Question 2

Weight range for brain

Answer 2

1,150 – 1,450g

Question 3

Weight range for right lung

Answer 3

300-400g

Question 4

Weight range for left lung

Answer 4

250-350g

Question 5

Weight range for heart

Answer 5

250-300g

Question 6

Weight range for spleen

Answer 6

60-300g

Question 7

Weight range for thyroid

Answer 7

10-50g

Question 8

Weight range for adrenals

Answer 8

4g each

Question 9

Excision and examination of tissue from a living subject, ideally at the periphery of the tumor

Answer 9

Biopsy

Question 10

Desquamated cells examined for hormonal status or chromatin phenotype

Answer 10

Exfoliative cytology

Question 11

Complete removal of a lesion; most reliable biopsy type

Answer 11

Excisional biopsy

Question 12

Removal of a part of a lesion or small piece of a tumor by directly incising the capsule; preferred for large tumors that can’t be excised completely

Answer 12

Incisional biopsy

Question 13

Aspiration of fluid for examination

Answer 13

Needle biopsy

Question 14

Removal of small pieces of tumor using special forceps

Answer 14

Bite biopsy

Question 15

Biopsy of skin fragments for analysis

Answer 15

Cutaneous biopsy

Question 16

Biopsy type for specimens >2mm, embedded in a single paraffin block

Answer 16

Punch biopsy

Question 17

Biopsy involving curettage specimens

Answer 17

Shave biopsy

Question 18

Specimen is subdivided with a razor blade for detailed examination

Answer 18

Wedge biopsy

Question 19

Removal of a tumor by shelling out at the marginal area

Answer 19

Marginal excision

Question 20

Gold standard for confirming a medical disease and when is it performed

Answer 20

Autopsy: Performed where high-quality medicine is practiced, criminal law enforced, for accurate death certificates, and in research on diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke.

Question 21

Requires consent and includes all organs, including the brain.

Answer 21

Complete autopsy

Question 22

Difference between partial and selective autopsy

Answer 22

Partial: Examines part of the anatomy. Selective: Focuses on a specific organ (e.g., heart for MI).

Question 23

Preliminaries for PME

Answer 23

1. Written consent from next of kin. 2. Death certificate signed by physician/pathologist. 3. Medical data. 4. Medico-legal clearance for foul play.

Question 24

Other uses of a death certificate

Answer 24

1. Burial/cremation. 2. Transport of body. 3. Medical insurance claims (affected by suicide, Acts of God, civil war).

Question 25

PME without consent circumstances

Answer 25

Ordered by police/coroner, to complete death certificate, prior consent from deceased, or military personnel during active duty.

Question 26

Jurisdiction of medico-legal examiner/coroner

Answer 26

Can authorize autopsy in cases like natural deaths, injury, violent deaths, unknown/suspicious causes, and deaths without medical attendance.

Question 27

Criteria for brain death

Answer 27

1. Coma & cerebral unresponsiveness 2. Apnea 3. Absent cephalic (brainstem) reflexes 4. Electrocerebral silence (must be present for 30 mins at least 6 hrs after onset of coma & apnea)

Question 28

Legislative definition of death (1980)

Answer 28

1. Irreversible cessation of circulation & respiratory functions 2. Irreversible cessation of all brain functions, including brainstem

Question 29

American academy of neurology death criteria

Answer 29

1. Coma 2. Absence of motor response, pupillary response to light, corneal reflexes, caloric responses, gag reflexes, coughing, sucking & rooting reflexes

Question 30

Organs removed & dissected individually in the body. Most widely used method.

Answer 30

Technique of Virchow

Question 31

In-situ dissection combined with en bloc technique.

Answer 31

Technique of Rokitansky

Question 32

Dissection by cavity, interrelated organs, systemic dissection. Example: thoracic cavity (lungs, heart, diaphragm).

Answer 32

En bloc technique (Rokitansky)

Question 33

En bloc technique.

Answer 33

Technique of Ghon

Question 34

En masse technique.

Answer 34

Technique of Letulle

Question 35

All organs of thoracic, abdominal, & pelvic regions removed at the same time. Sweeping of all organs.

Answer 35

En masse technique (Letulle)

Question 36

Larynx → Rectum. Very popular, easy to do, convenient.

Answer 36

Autopsy sequence

Question 37

Organs should be retained completely or partially, set aside later. Body handled by the undertaker.

Answer 37

Consent for organ retention