MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'autopsy'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:01:18 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272502&cid=t_108745_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F12%2F20%2Fdeath-at-seaworld-where-is-tilikum-the-whale-who-killed-his-trainer%2F My new post on Politics Daily / Woman Up. Death at SeaWorld: Where Is Tilikum, the Whale Who Killed His Trainer? Dawn Brancheau, the SeaWorld performer who died last February, had not crossed my mind in months. But last night I came across some year-end stories on 2010 newsmakers and what they were doing with their 16th minute of fame. One was Isaiah Mustafa, who found fame and fortune on a Super Bowl commercial for Old Spice. Another was Antoine Dodson, who scared away a would-be rapist from his sister’s bedroom and whose comments to a news crew led to the “Bed Intruder Song.” Tilikum, the killer whale, became a household name on Feb. 24, after he turned on his trainer Dawn Brancheau. When I first saw her picture, I realized that years ago I’d seen Brancheau pe... Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272502 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:01:28 +0100 4272502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3986998&cid=t_108745_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fdr-bradley-mays-autopsy-photos-requested-mother%2F Suburban Milwaukee surgeon Dr. Bradley Mays died in 1998 and now his mother, who does not believe the listed cause of death is accurate, is petitioning the courts to give her access to the autopsy photos. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3986998 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 04:09:27 +0100 3986998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335584&cid=t_108745_155_f&fid=36522&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpathtalk%2F%7E3%2Fuu17HR6g0xE%2F1952 I recently did a brain autopsy on a 70-year-old woman who died from an intraparenchymal brain hemorrhage after a seven-year history of progressive dementia. The gross photograph follows: I know what you’re thinking: an amyloid angiopathic bleed, or perhaps a hypertensive bleed, in a patient with Alzheimer disease. That’s what I was thinking until I saw in the chart that abnormal white matter changes on MRI prompted the neurologist to order Notch3 genetic testing on the patient, which surprisingly came back positive for a mutation. The patient therefore carried a clinical diagnosis of Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), despite the fact that she had no clear family history indicative of this disease and despite t... pathtalk.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335584 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:32:59 +0100 3335584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331627&cid=t_108745_155_f&fid=36522&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpathtalk%2F%7E3%2Fuu17HR6g0xE%2F1952 I recently did a brain autopsy on a 70-year-old woman who died from an intraparenchymal brain hemorrhage after a seven-year history of progressive dementia. The gross photograph follows: I know what you’re thinking: an amyloid angiopathic bleed, or perhaps a hypertensive bleed, in a patient with Alzheimer disease. That’s what I was thinking until I saw in the chart that abnormal white matter changes on MRI prompted the neurologist to order Notch3 genetic testing on the patient, which surprisingly came back positive for a mutation. The patient therefore carried a clinical diagnosis of Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), despite the fact that she had no clear family history indicative of this disease and despite th... pathtalk.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331627 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:32:59 +0100 3331627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977590&cid=t_108745_155_f&fid=38406&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FThe1xObjective%2F%7E3%2FaHofPbfzRg0%2F Researchers at Sweden’s Norrköping Visualization Center  (link in Swedish) have developed a “virtual autopsy” experience using a multitouch surface computer and various patient... Catch the rest of the story after the break... (Source: The 1x Objective) The 1x Objective blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977590 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:37:28 +0100 2977590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2872079&cid=t_108745_155_f&fid=36522&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpathtalk%2F%7E3%2Fp_M2Vjj7yww%2F1677 The Virtual Autopsy Table (developed by Norrköping Visualization Centre and the Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization in Sweden) makes use of high resolution CT And MRI. The images are rendered and processed into 3D models which can be manipulated using a the table’s multi-touch interface. Click here to view the embedded video. From the website: The technique used in this table is already utilized suc­cessfully as a compliment to the conventional autopsy. Apart from avoiding cutting in the body the doctors can see things that are difficult to discover in a conventional autopsy. Furthermore, the technique opens up for new op­portunities in countries where autopsies are not accepted due to cultural reasons. The technique can also revolution­ize the traditional health c... pathtalk.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2872079 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:48:49 +0100 2872079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730160&cid=t_108745_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F3e-9AycxFgg%2F News came down today that Michael Jackson officially died from an overdose of propofol. This wasn’t a huge surprise, but now that more information from the autopsy has been released, it does confirm what officials had originally believed. It also gives them more incentive to talk to Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray. Murray gave a statement that confirmed he had been giving Jackson medication to help with insomnia for as long as six weeks prior to the singer’s death. He said “each night he gave Jackson 50 mg of propofol, also known as Diprivan, diluted with the anesthetic lidocaine via an intravenous drip.” He was concerned that Jackson was becoming addicted to the drug, and tried to wean him off of it by combining the drug with different types of medic... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730160 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:45:37 +0100 2730160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2681967&cid=t_108745_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FMmFwvX8t-lo%2F I have to say, I’m shocked at the news that Billy Mays had been using cocaine. For some reason, that TV pitchman that was so well-liked and so recognizable represented something down-to-earth and homey to me. I trusted his opinions and when he sold something, it made me stop and take a look at what he was pitching. So the recent news that he had used cocaine “just days before his death” is shocking to me. The autopsy results having concluded that the cocaine use contributed to his heart attack. It just goes to show that we can’t abuse our bodies and expect there to be no long-term effects. Granted, I’m shocked at some of the rock stars who are still around and yet have abused their bodies for years. Billy Mays’ body obvious couldn’t take it. He wa... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2681967 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:56:52 +0100 2681967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2593229&cid=t_108745_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FcwX6F8ISv-8%2Fnew-structural-mri-test-can-diagnose.html In this study, Mayo Clinic researchers developed a framework for MRI-based differential diagnosis of three common neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and Lewy body disease using Structural MRI. Currently, examination of the brain at autopsy is the only way to confirm with certainty that a patient had a specific form of dementia. The framework, which is called "STructural Abnormality iNDex" or STAND-Map, shows promise in accurately diagnosing dementia patients while they are alive. The rationale is that if each neurodegenerative disorder can be associated with a unique pattern of atrophy specific on MRI, then it may be possible to differentially diagnose new patients. The study looked at 90 patients from the Mayo Clinic database who were conf... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2593229 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:16:28 +0100 2593229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2584216&cid=t_108745_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F08%2Fmichael-jacksons-brain-and-the-false-narrative%2F Since the news media seems to be unable to tear itself away from the Michael Jackson story, we learn about every fascinating detail about his life, and his death. Including the details of standard autopsy procedures, as though they were new or bizarre. The latest, of course, is that Michael Jackson’s body is being buried without his brain. But this is not unusual in an autopsy where the cause of death isn’t certain and the brain is suspected to carry some clues. The brain needs to harden, in order to perform the later slicing needed in the autopsy procedure: It involves removing the brain from the skull and leaving it to soak in a diluted mixture of formaldehyde and water called formalin. This soaking process usually takes four weeks and the brain genuinely does harden. Vaug... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2584216 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:24:00 +0100 2584216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2556217&cid=t_108745_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fwhy-did-the-jackson-family-ask-for-a-second-autopsy%2F On Friday morning, before the first autopsy on Michael Jackson had been completed, I wrote an article in these pages to explain just what an autopsy is, why it’s done, and what we could expect from it  (I’m a former medical examiner and a board-certified forensic pathologist). As I predicted, the initial examination of his body with the naked eye, which is called the “gross” examination, was inconclusive, in part because further tests, which take days to complete under any circumstances, were required. These tests include the microscopic examination of small samples of each of the organs as well as toxicology tests of the stomach contents, blood, bile and urine. The toxicology tests look for the presence or absence any chemicals including prescription drugs, recrea... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2556217 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:43:34 +0100 2556217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2527962&cid=t_108745_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fmichael-jackson-what-will-an-autopsy-look-for%2F When any person dies suddenly or unexpectedly it becomes the responsibility of the medical examiner to determine the cause of death. Such is the case in the tragic death of Michael Jackson at the all too young age of 50. When I worked as a medical examiner in Washington, D.C., in the early 1980s, our policy was to automatically do a full autopsy investigation on anyone 50 or under regardless of their medical history. Over 50 and we might waive the autopsy if there were a clear medical history of illness or disease and there were absolutely no suspicious circumstances, as investigated by the homicide unit of the D.C. police force. Of course it goes without saying that for someone like Michael Jackson, who died suddenly at age 50 yesterday without any obvious cause, that a full scale investi... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2527962 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:47:29 +0100 2527962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570869&cid=t_108745_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fmichael-jackson-what-will-an-autopsy-look-for%2F When any person dies suddenly or unexpectedly it becomes the responsibility of the medical examiner to determine the cause of death. Such is the case in the tragic death of Michael Jackson at the all too young age of 50. When I worked as a medical examiner in Washington, D.C., in the early 1980s, our policy was to automatically do a full autopsy investigation on anyone 50 or under regardless of their medical history. Over 50 and we might waive the autopsy if there were a clear medical history of illness or disease and there were absolutely no suspicious circumstances, as investigated by the homicide unit of the D.C. police force. Of course it goes without saying that for someone like Michael Jackson, who died suddenly at age 50 yesterday without any obvious cause, that a full scale investi... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570869 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:46:00 +0100 2570869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2463304&cid=t_108745_155_f&fid=36522&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpathtalk%2F%7E3%2Fx65xBeE-V5Q%2F1092 A common theme among neurodegenerative diseases is that there is a some kind of “nucleating protein” which aggregates within specific areas of the brain. There is debate as to whether the aggregates cause disease, or are simply an attempt by brain cells to sequester bad proteins. If the former is true, then therapy should be aimed at disaggregating the bad protein. If the latter is true, then therapy should be focused on helping the brain to inactivate the free-floating bad proteins. A recent advance in the understanding of Huntington disease (HD) suggests that the free-floating form of the protein may be the culprit, lending support to the idea that other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s may also be caused by soluble proteins rather than ... pathtalk.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2463304 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:31:24 +0100 2463304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441240&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7087 The Malaysian Insider reports that the Universiti Malaya fully stands by the second Kugan autopsy reports Universiti Malaya has backed the pathologist’s report on dead police detainee A. Kugan in a recent letter to the Health Ministry while his mother today filed a suit against the police for seizing specimens related to his second autopsy. Sources told The Malaysian Insider today that the Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor’s office wrote to Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Ismal Merican last month, backing pathologist Dr Prashant N Sambekar’s autopsy report on Kugan who died on January 20 at the Taipan police station. “The Universiti Malaya disputed Tan Sri Ismail’s report that came out on April 6 which dismissed the pathologist’s report. After all, this involves the u... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441240 Thu, 28 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2441240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2424528&cid=t_108745_155_f&fid=36522&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpathtalk%2F%7E3%2F0ucfQp2k3nI%2F1007 The New York Times featured a short piece about autopsies yesterday. The article takes a somewhat skeptical tone in places: We looked at each other, my surviving sister and I, and said no. It wouldn’t bring her back. We had had enough. We wanted to get on with funeral plans. Another reason, I realized later, was a vague, underlying sense of distrust. We weren’t confident that the hospital could provide a thorough and competent autopsy, and even if it could, we didn’t trust the doctors to tell us the whole truth. However, it does goes on to affirm the value of the procedure for alleviating relatives’ fellings of guilt after the death of a loved one, and provides some information about how to request an autopsy. It also points out that many of the real questions people have af... pathtalk.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2424528 Tue, 19 May 2009 18:11:18 +0100 2424528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2307448&cid=t_108745_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F04%2Fthe-breakfast-club%2F In “See For Yourself” I briefly mentioned my most memorable teacher, forensic pathologist Tim D. Koelmeyer. As a medical student attending autopsies, as well as coping with the sights, sounds, and smells of the autopsy room and the presence of a recently deceased corpse, I had my mind blown apart by the enigmatic Dr Koelmeyer, [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2307448 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:57:23 +0100 2307448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2290612&cid=t_108745_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fnatasha-richardsons-tragic-death-teaches-us-about-head-injury%2F The news of Natasha Richardson’s tragic death after a skiing accident has shocked us all; especially because of the apparently minor nature of her injury and that she was quickly up and about and talking immediately afterwards. Unfortunately, however, Ms. Richardson suffered a near textbook case of what’s called epidural hematoma. I say near because she was 45 and epidural hematoma is more likely to happen in younger adults with the average age being 20-30 (it’s rare after 50). But the rest of the awful story is only too typical. The only positive thing about epidural hematoma is that it is a rare event. In fact, it only is found in about one to four percent of traumatic head injuries. It is also a cruel irony that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month (BIAM). And doubly so because, ... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2290612 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:18:03 +0100 2290612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2263870&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6384 For those of you who want to read in detail the two autopsy reports, dranony in the Dobbs forums kindly pointed out the links from Malaysiakini: The 1st post-mortem report (Serdang hospital) The 2nd post-mortem report (UMMC) As a quick reference, you can click here for the summary of the differences in the autopsy reports as reported by Malaysiakini. Let me take you through what I think are the relevant and important bits from the two autopsy reports. Note this item from the second autopsy The glaring difference is that the abdominal organs were not removed for dissection in the first autopsy. Despite this, the first autopsy report declared them to be in “good condition” - see page 3/4 of the 1st report which mentions: “Perut kosong. Hati normal. Limpa normal. Organ-orga... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2263870 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2263870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2256040&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6349 The press statement by the MMA President. : The conflict in the two autopsy reports related to Kugan Ananthan has caused all Malaysians to speculate on the reasons for the contrasting differences between the reports. So glaring are the differences between the two reports that the first Pathologist appears incompetent at the least. The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) is gravely concerned about the issue. If the second autopsy report is accurate, and there is much to say that it is, then the Pathologist who performed the first autopsy was either negligent in the performance of his duty or was coerced into reporting as he did. The MMA is deeply concerned with this in either case, and condemns the first autopsy and report. The MMA has always maintained that doctors must be objective in th... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2256040 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2256040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2249133&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6339 The DG has spoken: PETALING JAYA: In the interest of justice and fair play, the Health Ministry will initiate an independent inquiry into the two post-mortem reports of A. Kugan who died while in police custody. The first post-mortem on Kugan was conducted by the Serdang Hospital, while the second was by the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the outcome of the inquiry would be made public. He added that the Health Ministry confirmed the Serdang Hospital forensic pathologist had performed his duty ethically and professionally. “There is also no indication the forensic pathologist was hiding facts while carrying out the post-mortem. “The post-mortem report had been given to Kugan’s family. It was unfair to make ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2249133 Sat, 07 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2249133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240987&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6332 Imagine the consternation in the public mind regarding the conflicting autopsy reports on Kugan who died whilst in Police custody. There were so many differences that it’s no surprise that Kugan’s mother has lodged a report After discovering vast discrepancies in the two post-mortem reports, the family of dead detainee A Kugan did the next sensible thing - lodge a police report and hope to see justice done. This morning, M Indra did just that. She lodged a police report against Serdang Hospital and the pathologist who conducted the first post-mortem on her son’s body. Accompanying her to the Petaling Jaya police district headquarters to lodge the report were her lawyer, two MPs and several family members. Dr Abdul Karim Tajudin of Serdang Hospital performed the first post-mo... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240987 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2240987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182388&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Feluana-englaro-died-of-cardiac-arrest.html The autopsy of Eluana Englaro shows she died of cardiac arrest. From the story: An autopsy performed on the controversial 'right to die' woman, Eluana Englaro, who died in Italy on Monday has shown she died of cardiac arrest, provoked by dehydration after her feeding tubes were removed last week. The fate of 38-year-old Englaro, who had been in a vegetative state since 1992, provoked a euthanasia debate that has divided Italy and caused a constitutional crisis.The life of Eluana is over, but the controversy has just begun in Italy: "It is wrong to insult others and it is equally wrong to accuse Catholics of fundamentalism when they fight for life," said Fisichella in an interview with Italian daily, La Repubblica. "There is a great reversal of values. Freedom is good, but there should also... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182388 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:54:00 +0100 2182388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2177434&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Feluana-englaro-autopsy-ordered.html There has been a lot of off stage speculation about the actual cause of Eluana Englaro's death--in which I intentionally did not engage--inspired by her death coming within days after the beginning of dehydration, a process that usually takes about two weeks. Now, an autopsy has been ordered and so we'll know soon enough whether these worries have any basis in fact. From the story:The prosecutor's office here on Tuesday ordered that an autopsy be performed to determine the exact cause of death of a 38-year-old woman who had been at the center of a highly controversial right-to-die case. Eluana Englaro died Monday evening four days after feeding tube, which had kept her alive in a permanent vegetative state for 17 years, was removed in accordance with a high court ruing and the wishes of he... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2177434 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:52:00 +0100 2177434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2144588&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6034 Details of either have not been revealed but are you surprised that there are alleged differences Initial results of the second autopsy on Kugan Ananthan, who died mysteriously in police custody on Jan 20, is contrary to the one undertaken by government pathologists, and goes beyond “water in the lungs” as the cause of death, Kapar MP S. Manickavasagam said today. “Kugan’s family and lawyers already know the results of the post-mortem but have been urged by the forensic pathologist, who carried out post mortem, not to disclose it until his report is completed,” Manickavasagam said today after attending Kugan’s funeral. He disclosed that tissue samples taken by the pathologist attached to the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) will be sent to Singapore for analysis. The fir... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2144588 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2144588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1945235&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D5221 Asbestos Exposure: calcified pleural plaques, originally uploaded by PA and LAT. A man anticipating death from a rare form of cancer caused by inhaling asbestos is challenging the constitutionality of a court order requiring his body to be autopsied as a condition of his estate being paid a settlement.read more | digg story Only in America! Note on the CXR (does not belong to the patient mentioned in the dugg story: The CXR shows linear pleural-based calcifications and the amorphous nodular densities overlying the lungs. These are calcified pleural plaques that form at least 20 years after exposure to asbestos. a Man Sues To Stop His Own Autopsy! (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1945235 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1945235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1677285&cid=t_108745_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fat4kjIXWVhs%2F Ontario, Canada has developed a new standard when dealing with unexplained cardiac deaths and autopsies. While the new system, developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, will likely provide important answers to grieving families, researchers also hope it will save lives by identifying family members who may be at risk with the same silent, potentially fatal conditions. This will prove to be very important when looking into children’s deaths. The new system will help answer questions  for parents that have had a child pass from a sudden cardiac death. Will my other son or daughter suffer the same fate? I hope that this will put minds at rest and ease. to read more…  Tags: , autopsy, canada, children, heart-disease, ki... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1677285 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:00:42 +0100 1677285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1186134&cid=t_108745_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fheath-ledgers-autopsy-inconclusive-so-far%2F When death strikes someone at a young age, it is always tragic - and there are always questions. For most, the questions are limited to the family, friends and perhaps to some in the local community. For celebrities, the questions become national, even international. Sometimes the questions are about the cause of death, but they always involve the whys. Why them, why now, why our child? These latter questions are existential in nature and are rarely, if ever, fully answered. The former, however, are the purview of the pathologist, a physician with specialized training in solving the physical causes of death. Sometimes the answers are obvious, sometimes not. On rare occasion, they are never determined. In the case of Heath Ledger, the questions remained unanswered as of this writing. I’m ... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1186134 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:25:13 +0100 1186134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1180120&cid=t_108745_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomensbioethics.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fdo-you-sing-body-electric.html (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1180120 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:11:00 +0100 1180120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1162609&cid=t_108745_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F219492539%2F I am sure you have seen this or heard about his, but in case you live inside a bubble… No one is above heart disease, not money nor fame. This is scary- we need to make sure that we think about all of the consequences before jumping up on that stretcher. Seriously, thinner thighs and perkier… well you know- they just aren’t worth it! The autopsy results for Kanye West’s mother Donda have been released. Donda died on Nov. 10, the day after having extensive plastic surgery performed on her by a Dr. Jan Adams, who was not board certified in plastic surgery. The official results of the autopsy state that Donda died as a result of a heart attack. There was no evidence that her death occurred due to anesthesia or or the surgery itself. via A Socialites Life Share This (S... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162609 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:08:26 +0100 1162609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=990073&cid=t_108745_155_f&fid=36522&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpathtalk.org%2Farchives%2F46 Clinical History A 7 month-old male was admitted for severe pneumonia with respiratory compromise. Laboratory studies demonstrated leukocytosis and profound hypocalcemia. An inherited immunodeficiency syndrome was suspected. A CT scan of the chest revealed bilateral lobar pneumonia, and no thymus was seen. Dual-probe fluoresence in-situ hybridization for deletions of 10p13p14 and 22q11.2 was performed on the peripheral blood, revealing hemizygosity for 22q11.2 deletion. Flow cytometry on the peripheral blood revealed markedly decreased number of circulating CD45RA- and CD62L-positive naïve T-cells. Sputum was obtained via nasopharyngeal aspiration. Bacterial and fungal cultures were negative, but immunofluoresence for respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) was positive. The patient require... pathtalk.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=990073 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:05:25 +0100 990073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=948753&cid=t_108745_155_f&fid=36522&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpathtalk.org%2Farchives%2F22 Clinical History A 30-year-old Hispanic man with a history of diabetes mellitus had a staphylococcal abscess of the calf several weeks prior to presentation that was treated with antibiotics. He was in his usual state of health until two to three weeks before presentation, when he developed rapidly progressive leg pain, fever, and myalgias. He quickly became unable to walk due to severe leg pain and shortness of breath. On presentation in the emergency department, he was found to be hypotensive, pancytopenic, and in severe acute renal failure, and he had a right upper lobe infiltrate on chest radiograph. A blood culture grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus organisms. CT imaging of the chest showed multifocal cavitation of the large area of consolidation in the right upper lobe.... pathtalk.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=948753 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:21:48 +0100 948753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=549838&cid=t_108745_137_f&fid=35350&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tangledneuron.info%2Fthe_tangled_neuron%2F2007%2F04%2Fherpes_simplex_.html Summary: A British scientist, Dr. Ruth Itzhaki, has shown that the combination of latent Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV1) in the brain and the type 4 form of the APOE gene could account for 60 percent of all cases of late onset Alzheimer’s disease. Almost all elderly brains are infected with HSV1, which often causes no symptoms. Dr. Itzhaki’s lab found the virus in areas of the brain most damaged by Alzheimer’s, and has data relating HSV1 to plaques and tangles. The idea that a viral infection could underlie Alzheimer’s is part of an emerging understanding of the role of bacteria and viruses in chronic diseases. This kind of research is neither well-accepted nor well-funded, so don’t expect any Alzheimer’s treatments targeting HSV1 to be on the market anytime soon. I have o... The Tangled Neuron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=549838 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:32:12 +0100 549838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=512459&cid=t_108745_137_f&fid=35350&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tangledneuron.info%2Fthe_tangled_neuron%2F2007%2F02%2Fcholesterol_sta_1.html Summary: In a small pilot trial, Lipitor (a statin), seemed to improve scores on neuropsychological tests, especially for patients with mild Alzheimer’s, high cholesterol and the APOE4 genetic variation. The results of two large trials of statins for treatment of Alzheimer’s should be published in 2008. Whether or not statins prove to be effective against Alzheimer’s, this research adds to the evidence of a connection between heart disease and some dementias. In my last post, I wrote how recent research has dampened hopes that the cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins can reduce the risk of dementia. But what about people who’ve already been diagnosed with dementia? Two large trials of statins to treat Alzheimer’s are underway. Dr. Larry Sparks, Head of the Ralph & Murie... The Tangled Neuron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512459 Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:15:07 +0100 512459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=512463&cid=t_108745_137_f&fid=35350&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tangledneuron.info%2Fthe_tangled_neuron%2F2007%2F01%2Falzheimers_tang.html Summary: The tangles seen in Alzheimer’s brains are made up of a protein called tau. Tau is involved in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, but scientists don’t yet understand its role. In the long run, understanding how tau contributes to brain cell death may help researchers develop new Alzheimer’s treatments. More than a year after Dad died, I’m still trying to understand what caused his dementia and death. His primary diagnosis was cerebral amyloid angiopathy, but “it is likely that the presence of plaques and tangles contributed to his neurologic difficulties,” his autopsy consultation report says. These plaques and tangles are signs of Alzheimer’s disease. A lot of Alzheimer’s research focuses on plaques and on beta amyloid, the protein that makes up... The Tangled Neuron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512463 Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:42:20 +0100 512463