Role of the Pathologist Flashcards Preview

CLASP - Sudden Death > Role of the Pathologist > Flashcards

Flashcards in Role of the Pathologist Deck (18)
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1
Q

Where do pathologists become involved after a sudden death?

A

Post Mortem examination

2
Q

What takes place during a Post Mortem examination?

A
  • History gained from Clinical Notes and Police Reports
  • Scene photos analysed
  • External and internal examination of patient
  • Histology
  • Toxicology
  • Genetics
  • Identification
3
Q

What do photos of the scene add to a Post Mortem examination?

A

Gives an indication as to whether the death may be due to suspicious causes

  • Suspicious vs Non-suspicious
4
Q

What can toxicology be used for in a post mortem examination, other than to identify overdose?

A
  • If known patient was on medication for a certain condition, the titre of these can be checked
    => if they were not taking the medication, this may indicate their cause of death
5
Q

What is immunohistochemistry used for after identifying a tumour on autopsy?

A

Differentiate if primary or secondary tumour

Cellular analysis may also indicate original site?

6
Q

Who must consent for a patient to undergo a hospital autopsy?

A
  • Family or Next of Kin

- patient also may have consented to partial or full autopsy before their death

7
Q

Who can authorise an autopsy that does NOT need familial consent?

A

Procurator Fiscal

  • this is then required by law
  • Can cause problems in families of certain religions who may be against autopsy
8
Q

What is involved in a “View and Grant” Post mortem examination?

A
  • External examination only
  • NO internal biopsies
  • can still do toxicology samples on blood, urine and vitreous humour from the eye
9
Q

What is the WHO definition of Sudden or Unexpected death?

A

Death within 24 hours of symptom onset

10
Q

What clinical signs during a Post Mortem Examination would indicate a patient had hyperlipidaemia which could have contributed to their death?

A
  • Bilateral diagonal ear lobe creases

- Arcus eye sign (cloudy ring around iris)

11
Q

What signs on autopsy may be indicators of a myocardial infarction?

A
  • occlusion of coronary artery
  • rupture of heart muscle
  • haemopericardium (evident on opening chest)
12
Q

What problem in the coronary arteries may cause a patient to die suddenly although there is no physical pathology present on autopsy?

A

Coronary artery spasm

13
Q

What structural heart abnormalities may be visible on autopsy?

A
  • LV hypertrophy (heart may also be weighed to indicate this)
  • Aortic stenosis (calcifications present on valve)
  • Cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic, dilated or restrictive)
14
Q

What type of cardiomyopathy is known to cause sudden death in young athletes?

A

Hypertrophic

15
Q

What signs can you look for on autopsy if you suspect a patient has died from an epileptic seizure?

A
  • Tongue biting marks

- urine stained clothes

16
Q

If a lung tumour was found on autopsy, what other common pathology would you look for?

A
  • Pulmonary embolus

- High risk of this when patient has lung cancer, and is often a cause of sudden death

17
Q

What throat condition may cause complications that result in sudden death?

A

Quincy - presents in throat but may cause tonsillar abscess that bursts and causes sudden death

18
Q

What condition has the potential to cause sudden death in children?

A

Epiglottitis - commonly caused by Haemophilus Influenzae