Description
This issue covers a very important subject for most pathologists around the country who routinely perform autopsies for their Coroners. The range of topics selected in this field is meant to combine clinical governance issues with descriptions of macroscopic pathology as well as to provide practical tips for everyday practice. It covers both common and rare conditions and also discusses interpretation of external changes which can be challenging at times. While this issue aims to deal with a comprehensive range of subjects, it is by no means exhaustive.
We are very grateful to Dr Roberts, our guest Editor, for his help in selecting the topics and in reviewing and editing the articles. The leading article by Dr Roberts puts the Coroner’s autopsy into perspective while Professor Lucas links it to clinical governance issues. Dr Start elegantly discusses the general principles of investigation of deaths following surgery, anaesthesia and medical procedures, which can be difficult to disentangle. Dr Benbow looks at practical aspects of transplant-related autopsies which many pathologists would not be involved in but may find useful to learn about. Dr West introduces the rarer causes of sudden cardiac death that are not related to coronary artery disease. Drs Roberts and Pumphrey summarise anaphylaxis and autopsy findings. Professors Green and Rutty separately outline the best practice in examination of external injuries and how to distinguish ante-mortem trauma from post-mortem artefact. This issue is neatly rounded off by Dr Smith and Professor Graham’s article on the pathology of head injuries which is often central to many Coroner’s autopsies.
On a general note, we are nearing the end of the first 5-year cycle of systemic review of pathology. The next five issues will complete the cycle before we revisit all the systems once again from October 2003 onwards. We welcome ideas on how the second cycle of systemic review may be tackled.
Do not forget the online option for articles, discussion fora and general information.
The website is on www.rila.co.uk.
