Minimally invasive autopsies: a promise to revive the procedure

Autopsy And Case Reports

Endereço:
Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2565
São Paulo / SP
05508-000
Site: http://www.autopsyandcasereports.org
Telefone: (11) 3091-9448
ISSN: 22361960
Editor Chefe: Maria Claudia Nogueira Zerbini
Início Publicação: 28/02/2011
Periodicidade: Trimestral
Área de Estudo: Medicina

Minimally invasive autopsies: a promise to revive the procedure

Ano: 2014 | Volume: 4 | Número: 3
Autores: P. H. N. Saldiva
Autor Correspondente: P. H. N. Saldiva | [email protected]

Resumos Cadastrados

Resumo Inglês:

Since ancient times, the autopsy has been a relevant source for the improvement of technical
and scientific knowledge in the health area. From the first anatomic studies in the Middle Ages to the
use of modern molecular techniques for the study of physiopathological processes, the autopsy has proven to be a very rich source of material and inspiration for the advancement of scientific knowledge. However, in recent decades, there has been a marked decline in medical autopsies—a situation that has important implications in research as well as education in medical sciences. For instance, the decline in the number of autopsies makes it difficult to apply the modern techniques of molecular biology and pathology in certain diseases of organs where tissue sampling is very difficult or not possible during life. Dementia and the characterization of the toxic effects of chemotherapy on the heart are classical examples of this situation.