A Study of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Routine Autopsies

The present study was on Incidence of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation(DIC) in routine autopsies. In this Four year period (Jan 2003 to Dec 2006) of study, a total of 418 Medico legal autopsies were conducted of which 21 cases proved DIC. The study has been ventured primarily based on morbid anatomical and histo-pathological findings. Wherever possible clinical orientation has been attempted perusing antecedent case history and case records as and when available. The presence of single Microthrombi in minimum of one of the organs was considered to be DIC. The study also pointed out the discrepancies between clinical diagnosis and autopsy findings and also pointed out the clinical lapses in its diagnosis. The study also highlighted the incidental findings of DIC in Burns and Trauma cases, & also highlited the need for the alertness of Clinicians in cases suspected to manifest into DIC. Of the total number of DIC(n=21) cases only 12 were treated in the Hospital out of which only 2 cases were suspected for DIC. The majority of Microthrombi was in Kidney(71.43%) and Lungs(66.66%). and the least was spleen(n=1). The maximum haemorrhage were reported in Kidney(n=11) and the least was in the Liver and Brain. The external manifestation of Haemorrhage was only in few (n=3) cases. The study also highlighted the importance of DIC as Immediate Cause of death due to various underlying mechanisms.