Abstract

Context: Medicolegal autopsy results are determined by the pathological examination hence there is a need to check and consolidate all the factors that contribute in the interpretation of histology finding. Lung is vital organ in contributing the certain histologic pattern that can unfold the cause and manner of death. Aims: To note the role of gross and histopathological examination in ascertaining the cause and manner of death in lung autopsy. Setting and Design: Study was conducted in department of Pathology with Forensic department collaboration over the period of one year. It’s a prospective observational study including 100 medicolegal autopsy cases taken. Material and Method: Gross examination followed by histopathological examination on hemotyxilin and eosin stained slide of lung tissue were done. Special stains were used wherever required and findings noted. All variable were correlated using Chi-squared test, Fisher’s Exact and Kruskal Wallis and strength of association with Kendall’s Tau, Chi-squared test, Cramer’s V statistical tools. Results: Majority of cases were in between 20-39 yrs with male predominence. Most common gross finding was congestion followed by consolidation. In histology pulmonary edeme followed by pneumonitis were noted. Most frequent cause of death was brain injury followed by septicemia and manner of death was accidental followed by natural. There was significant association observed between histopathology and age as well as in between gross finding with cause and manner of death. Conclusion: Gross finding coupled with microscopy can link in the detection of cause and manner of death.

• 1.   Vijaykumar L. Suicide and its prevention: The urgent need in India. Indian J Psychiatry2007; 49: 81-4.
• 2.   Udayashankar SK, Shashikala P, Kavita GU, Pruthvi D. Histomorphological pattern of lung in medicolegal autopsies. Internat J Sci Res. 2015; 4:1937–9.
• 3.   Singh D, Tiwari RC, Kumar A, Bhute AR, Meshram RP, Dikshit M, et al. A Comprehensive Review of Pathological Examination in Forensic Medicine: Past, Present, and Future. Cureus. 2022 Mar 1;14(3):e22740. doi: 10.7759/ cureus.22740.
• 4.   Narayan Reddy KS, Murty OP. 33rd ed. Jaypee Brothers; 2014. The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology.
• 5.   Todorović MS, Mitrović S, Aleksandrić B, Mladjenović N, Matejić S. Association of pulmonary histopathological findings with toxicological findings in forensic autopsies of illicit drug users. Vojnosanit Pregl 2011 Aug;68(8):639- 42.
• 6.   Jameson JL, Kasper D, Hauser S, Longo D, Fauci A, Loscalzo J. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 19th ed. Vol. 2. Bhavnagar: Mc Graw Hill; 2015.
• 7.   Minal G. Panchal, Rupali Giridhar Sonwane. Histopathological Study of MLC and Autopsy Cases in Our Hospital. Indian J Forensic Med Pathol. 2019;12(2):106-112.
• 8.   P. Arunalatha, A. Sangeetha & Nalli. R. Sumitra Devi. Spectrum of Histopathological Findings in Autopsies - Highlighting the Interesting and Incidental Findings. International Journal of Current Medical and Applied Sciences. 2017 July;15(2):61-66.
• 9.   Pulak Chakma et al. Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine, July-September 2017;4(3):189-194 191.
• 10.   Chauhan G, Agrawal M, Thakkar N, Parghi B. Spectrum of histopathological lesions in lung autopsy. J Res Med Den Sci 2015; 3(2):109-12.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding