SPECTRUM OF HISTOPATHOLOGICAL LESIONS IN LUNGS AT MEDICO LEGAL AUTOPSY: A TEN YEARS STUDY

Abstract

Various histopathological findings unrelated to the cause of death are noticed in routine histopathological examination of medico legal autopsies. Lungs are unique among all internal organs in that they are exposing themselves directly and constantly to the surrounding atmosphere and are important vital organ in human body. They are vulnerable for a wide range of inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic conditions. Despite recent advances in diagnostic technology, pulmonary diseases are sometimes nonspecific, pathological examination gives exact cause of death and helps to correlate clinical scenario. Organ specific pathological changes that are seen during autopsy give a clear picture of the cause of death and help to correlate with clinical features. Materials and methods: This retrospective study was done in the department of pathology, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College on medico legal autopsies after taking ethical clearance from the institution. In all the cases available clinical details (age, sex, clinical diagnosis) was collected from medical records. Later gross details of lung specimens were collected. Gross and microscopic details were studied in details and analysed Results: Total of about 154 lung specimens were studied. Male to female ratio was 1.8:1. Commonest age group was 20-29 (22.72%) 3rd decade. Most common cause of death was Road traffic accident (19.48%). Pulmonary oedema was the most common histopathological finding. Conclusion: Autopsy is the gold standard to confirm the cause of death. Male to female ratio was 1.8:1. Commonest age group was 20-29 (22.72%) 3rd decade. Most common cause of death was Road traffic accident (19.48%). Pulmonary oedema was the most common histopathological finding in the medico legal autopsy of lung.