Minimally invasive autopsies: a promise to revive the procedure
Autopsy And Case Reports
Minimally invasive autopsies: a promise to revive the procedure
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.