The autopsy of the brain and spinal cord in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases - a practical approach to optimize the examination
Authors:
Zdeněk Rohan; Radoslav Matěj
Authors‘ workplace:
Centrum pro výzkum, diagnostiku a léčbu neurodegenerativních onemocnění a Národní referenční laboratoř TSE-CJN, Thomayerova nemocnice, Praha
; Oddělení patologie a molekulární medicíny
Published in:
Čes.-slov. Patol., 51, 2015, No. 4, p. 199-204
Category:
Reviews Article
K tomuto textu naleznete obrazové eSupplementum na www.CSpatologie.cz
Overview
Brain and spinal cord autopsies aimed at neuropathological diagnosis of the causes of dementia and motor abnormalities are of increasing importance. Neuropathological brain examination is often the only diagnostic modality capable of definitive diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease and thus serves as invaluable feedback for clinicians and biochemical and imaging diagnostics. The brain and spinal cord autopsy is performed following a standardized protocol and its goal is to sample all diagnostically relevant structures. Subsequent diagnostics are then done using standard and special histologic stainings, however state-of-the-art diagnostics can be achieved only using immunohistochemical methods. The purpose of the article is to provide the pathologists with a brief and practical guideline for brain and spinal cord autopsy when diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease is suspected.
Keywords:
dementia - neurodegenerative diseases - brain autopsy
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Labels
Anatomical pathology Forensic medical examiner ToxicologyArticle was published in
Czecho-Slovak Pathology
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