Unveiling liver pathology in autopsy cases

• Author Details:   
• Bharati M Bhavikatti
• Kanchana U T
• Darshitha B
• Harshitha G V ^*
• Ankita Ashok Muktawar

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Background: Liver constitute the site of many diseases and involved in various kinds of inflammatory, neoplastic and other lesions. Liver is the most common site for metabolic functions which is prone to get various type of injury due to exposure of chemicals, toxins and drugs. Autopsy examination serves as an important histopathological evidence to detect various changes occurring in liver and it has also helped the forensic experts to ascertain the cause of death. Histopathology of liver at autopsy thus become an important extended method to assess the liver diseases.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute Hubballi. This study was conducted for the period of two years from July 2019 to June 2021. A total of 228 liver specimens were studied. Since it is a time bound study, all the specimens received during the study period were included.

Results: Among the 228 liver specimen included in the study majority of the specimen (183 out of 228) revealed abnormal liver pathology. The panorama of pathological lesions found in liver extends to wide range of histological patterns. In the present study, steatosis was the common liver abnormality which was noted in half of the specimens 93(50.82%), followed by congestion 28 (15.3%), steatohepatitis 25(13.66%), cirrhosis 23(12.57%), hepatitis 8 (4.37%) with one case of each acute injury, simple cyst, haematoma and cavernous haemangioma.

Conclusion: Liver is a vital organ which is involved in various metabolism and detoxification. Liver autopsy reveals a wide spectrum of disorders. By analysing the macroscopy and microscopy features of the liver, we can elucidate the mechanism of disease. This study enables to know about the various patterns of liver changes that occur microscopically and further establishing underlying pathogenesis and pathology.

Keywords: Steatosis, Hepatitis, Autopsy.