The use of modern autopsy techniques to investigate human diseases (MODAU)

Abstract

Since ancient times, passing through the first known anatomic studies in the Middle Ages to the use of modern molecular techniques for the study of physiopathological processes, autopsy has shown to be a very rich source of material and inspiration for the advancement of scientific knowledge. Although a wide range of imaging techniques have emerged, several studies have shown that the autopsy remains crucial for: the complete assessment of the disease process, the assessment of new pathologies and quality control of the medical service. Autopsy also allows for the development of concomitant and associated projects in different areas due to the abundance of material. The School of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP) seeks to make the best possible use of the great potential of its 14,000 annually autopsies Death Verification Service of Sao Paulo. Although it seems logical that the increased capacity of imaging techniques to observe biological alterations results in more reliable correlation, validations are, in general, conceptually performed on a daily basis of equipment use, based on assumptions, rather than in structured clinical/histological/imaging correlation studies. However, in spite of their several scientific contributions, the volume of studies post-mortem is small, as it is difficult to obtain specimens on a routine basis. The present proposal overarching goal is to use this new imaging facility to explore two important topics: (a) the concept of minimally invasive autopsy as an alternative to increase the number of autopsies, to understand diseases processes and to evaluate clinical diagnosis and treatment; and (b) the role of autopsy to investigate the effects of urban environment in determining human disease. (AU)