| PROVISIONAL AND FINAL ANATOMIC DIAGNOSES The anatomic diagnoses are the prosector's statements in conclusion at two stages of the autopsy. They may necessarily include some, or all, of the diagnoses made before death. Particular examples include diabetes mellitus, essential arterial hypertension, and diagnoses made by surgical pathologic exam. However, the anatomic diagnosis should include these conditions only with appropriate credit ("clinical history" or "89-S-1234"). Otherwise, the diagnosis lists the conditions found at autopsy. The listing may be organized in any one of at least three different ways: 1. Numerical listing of all the diagnoses or lesions encountered as I. Generalized arteriosclerosis II. Multiple myocardial infarcts III. Chronic pulmonary congestion IV. Hemangioma of the liver 2. Listing with subheadings to indicate systems of pathogenesis as I. Cardiovascular disease a. Generalized, including coronary, atherosclerosis b. Multiple old myocardial infarcts c. Chronic pulmonary congestion 3. By anatomic system or by organs I. Cardiovascular system a. Generalized atherosclerosis, old b. Myocardial infarcts II. Respiratory system a. Chronic passive congestion of lungs III. Liver a. Hemangioma In general, the second of these is the most helpful and is recommended. The Final Anatomic Diagnosis is modified as indicated based on information subsequently derived ( as from cultures, microsections, consultation, etc.) |