Autopsy Pathology: A Manual and Atlas E-Book

by Walter E. Finkbeiner, Andrew J Connolly, Philip C. Ursell, Richard L. Davis

Overview

This how-to guide presents today's most complete coverage of performing, interpreting, and reporting post-mortem examinations. In addition to discussing the basics of the specialty, this lasting and useful reference features information on the performance of specialized autopsy procedures. The material is divided into two sections for ease of use: a manual covering specific autopsy procedures, biosafety, generation of autopsy reports, preparation of death certificates, and other essential subjects; and an atlas, organized by organ system, that captures the appearance of the complete spectrum of autopsy findings. The updated second edition features a new chapter on the popular topic of forensic pathology.

• Focuses on hospital autopsy, while also providing a brief introduction to forensic autopsy.
• Examines autopsy photography and radiology, microscopic examination, supplemental laboratory studies, and other investigative approaches.
• Includes a chapter on performing special dissection procedures that are usually not covered during a typical residency.
• Presents over 590 full-color photographs depicting common gross and microscopic autopsy findings for every part of the body.
• Correlates pathologic findings with their clinical causes to enhance diagnostic accuracy.

• Covers the hot topic of forensic pathology in a new chapter introducing the subspecialty.
• Addresses the latest legal, social, and ethical issues as well as quality improvement and quality assurance.
• Features improved images in the Atlas section to give an even more useful visual reference.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781437719710
Publisher:	Elsevier Health Sciences
Publication date:	02/17/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	441
File size:	84 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Professor, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, Director, Autopsy Service, Moffitt-Long Hospital, San Francisco, California

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Autopsy: Past and Present

Chapter 2 Legal, Social, and Ethical Issues

Chapter 3 Autopsy Biosafety

Chapter 4 Basic Postmortem Examination

Chapter 5 Postmortem Examination of Fetuses and Infants

Chapter 6 Special Dissection Procedures

Chapter 7 Autopsy Photography and Radiology

Chapter 8 Microscopic Examination

Chapter 9 Supplemental Laboratory Studies

Chapter 10 The Autopsy Report

Chapter 11 Postmortem Examination in Cases of Sudden Death Due to Natural Causes

Chapter 12 Death Certification

Chapter 13 Medical Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance of the Autopsy

Chapter 14 Atlas of Autopsy Pathology

- External Findings
- Pericardial, Pleural, and Peritoneal Cavitites
- Cardiovascular System
- Respiratory System
- Gastrointestinal System
- Hepatobiliary System
- Pancreas
- Urinary Tract System
- Reproductive System (Male)
- Reproductive System (Female)
- Endocrine System
- Lymphoreticular System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Central Nervous System
- Pediatric Pathology
- Placenta and Umbilical Cord

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Mark Allen Edgar, MD (New York Presbyterian Hospital)
Description: The first part of this book describes the history, performance, and interpretation of the traditional hospital autopsy with emphasis on classic necropsy techniques. The second part is a photographic atlas of gross autopsy photographs arranged by organ system (each photo accompanied by a brief description of the pertinent findings). This is followed by an appendix with detailed system-by-system description of an autopsy accompanied by a practical template for recording the gross findings.
Purpose: The authors intend this book to be a resource for autopsy pathologists; they acknowledge that despite persistent apathy, the autopsy has continued to make important contributions to medicine and public health. Although little new ground is broken, this book provides a thorough and competent overview of the autopsy which should serve as a very good reference or, especially, as a "how-to" guide for pathology residents. The authors take on an unglamorous but important task, and this book lives up to the expectations voiced in the preface.
Audience: As this book began as a resident's manual of autopsy pathology, it is not surprising that it is best suited to pathology trainees. The book does not assume detailed background knowledge or experience on the part of the reader. The authors bring many years of collective experience to the writing, and chapters addressing social and historical points, biosafety, and special postmortem techniques make this a worthwhile reference for the practicing pathologist.
Features: The strongest selling points of this book are the excellent chapters on basic postmortem examination and the atlas portion which provides a veritable treasure trove of gross photographs. Only a few pictures suffer from poor illumination or fuzziness — most are high-quality reproductions and many successfully illustrate the finer points of autopsy photography addressed in an earlier chapter. A few comments in the legends are a bit old fashioned, but the text is current. Chapters on fetal autopsy, microscopic examination, death certification, and sudden death due to natural causes all cover their topics succinctly and with sufficient detail.
Assessment: Autopsy reference manuals of this quality are few, and this up-to-date book is ideally suited for resident training. Technological advances are mentioned where applicable (e.g. molecular genetic studies as ancillary techniques), but the strength of this book lies in its illustration and validation of traditional autopsy techniques.

Doody's Review Service

This book is well presented and works as a general overview of autopsy practice. This is a good value text for trainee pathologists and mortuary staff. ACP News - Autumn 2004

From the Publisher