Question 1

how can  medical examiner determine respiratory failure without an autopsy.?

Accepted Answer

Medical examiner: Gets involved after a person has died. There are ways to determine respiratory failure through clinical examination and blood tests during life of the patient but the only tool available to the medical examiner is autopsy.

Question 2

my husband passed away recently from a drug overdose. i am not able to understand all the medical terms used in his autopsy. it says "leptomeninges are thin, delicate and congested." congested is used several times through the report and i don't understan

Accepted Answer

Leptomeninges : Leptomeninges  are  membranes (covering) around  the brain and the spinal cord. Congested  means blood or fluid in a tissue.  (there was blood or fluid in the tissue surrounding her brain and/or  spinal cord).

Birefringent crystals  (anisotropic crystals) found in the lungs is sometimes due to  pulmonary aspergillosis or excessive inhaled talcum powder. Aspirated (sucked out)

anthracosis is also known as black lung disease or pneumonoconiosis and is found when there is long-term exposure to coal dust.

He had Methadone in his body at death.

You might ask the coroner to explain this to you more fully.

Question 3

if someone dies from a blood clot will the medical examiner found the clot quickly in the autopsy?

Accepted Answer

Thromboemboli: Blood clots that cause death suddenly are usually in the lungs and tend to be large enough to locate at the time of gross autopsy examination. Occasionally they break up and might require microscopic identification. Fatal clots can also involve the arteries in the brain, and are harder to locate immediately.

Question 4

who needs autopsy?

Accepted Answer

Varies: In the usa, any death we suspect is a homicide or an indicator of a public health threat (new epidemic, chance of bioweapons), autopsy is the rule.  The law may order autopsy on any suspicious / unexpected death, possible accident, suicide, or medical mishap.  Or a family may request one -- nowadays there may be a charge.

Question 5

who qualifies for an autopsy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: In most countries, any death that may be a homicide and/or reveal a danger to public health gets autopsied, and the medical examiner has discretion to autopsy any likely suicide, accident or body without a physician to certify the cause. Families can pay for one on any decedent; today a few hospitals still offer an autopsy to families as a courtesy and i wish this were more common.

Question 6

how do i get the autopsy report?

Accepted Answer

Be persistent: I have been as guilty as most other pathologists in being slow to sign out autopsies -- there seems like there's always something more pressing.  If the family requested the autopsy, it should be ready in a month or two.  If the law is involved, the next of kin can usually get the report unless it's a homicide.

Question 7

who decides if an autopsy is needed?

Accepted Answer

Medical examiner or: Depending on the situation, an autopsy can be ordered by the medical examiner or coroner if the death is un-natural - accident, suicide, homicide. A patient's doctor may want one to clarify the cause of a natural death. But even if the patient's doctor wants one, it has to be authorized by the legal next of kin. A family may want one for piece of mind or to investigate possible malpractice.

Question 8

who can perform a medicolegal autopsy?

Accepted Answer

Any physician: However, it depends on the type of situation.  In a difficult homicide, it is good to have two or more pathologists, one or more with specialty board in forensic pathology.  If it's a death in hospital / with disease, often you're best with a general pathologist like me.  The law specifies who orders the autopsy, and this varies from place to place (coroner, medical examiner.).

Question 9

how do i request no autopsy after i die?

Accepted Answer

Family: Unless you die under circumstances which require a medical examiner to do an autopsy (possible homicide, suicide, unexpected death not under doctor's care) then an autopsy can only be done with the consent of your closest living relative.  You must persuade all of your relatives to honor your wishes if you want to be sure about no autopsy.  Of course having one is a good idea.

Question 10

who do i consult about an autopsy report?

Accepted Answer

Pathologist: Consult with the pathologist who wrote the report if possible.  Sometimes a quick discussion with the deceased patient's primary physician is helpful as well.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Medical autopsy video

A member asked:

How can medical examiner determine respiratory failure without an autopsy.?

A member asked:

My husband passed away recently from a drug overdose. i am not able to understand all the medical terms used in his autopsy. it says "leptomeninges are thin, delicate and congested." congested is used several times through the report and i don't understan

A member asked:

If someone dies from a blood clot will the medical examiner found the clot quickly in the autopsy?

A member asked:

Who needs autopsy?

A member asked:

Who qualifies for an autopsy?

A member asked:

How do i get the autopsy report?

A member asked:

Who decides if an autopsy is needed?

A member asked:

Who can perform a medicolegal autopsy?

A member asked:

How do i request no autopsy after i die?

A member asked:

Who do i consult about an autopsy report?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?