Essential Forensic Neuropathology

This book is written for pathologists and trainees in forensic pathology and neuropathology who will have to conduct forensic neuropathology autopsies. It will provide them with the basic knowledge to conduct a thorough postmortem examination of the nervous system, describe and document the relevant pathological changes, and interpret these findings in a way that will be helpful in determining the cause and manner of death. Great importance will be placed on the objective and rigorous documentation of the pathological findings, because many of these autopsy reports will be re-examined in the context of legal inquiries and proceedings.

A companion Website will offer the fully searchable text, an image bank, and additional e-figures.


Table Of Contents

Methods in Forensic Neuropathology
Juan C. Troncoso, David Fowler, and Ana Rubio

Brief Review of the Anatomy of the Head, Spine, Brain, and Spinal Cord
Juan C. Troncoso

External Examination of the Head and Neck, Scalp, Skull, and Spine
Ana Rubio

Basic Traumatic Injuries and Definition of Common Lesions
Ana Rubio and David Fowler

Biomechanics of Injury
David Fowler

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Dural Hemorrhages
Juan C. Troncoso and Olga Pletnikova

Traumatic Lesions of the Brain
Juan C. Troncoso and Olga Pletnikova

Brain Edema, Increased Intracranial Pressure, and Herniations
Juan C. Troncoso

Projectile and Explosive Injuries of the Central Nervous System
David Fowler

Vascular Diseases in Forensic Neuropathology
Juan C. Troncoso

Global Vascular and Metabolic Injuries of the Brain
Juan C. Troncoso

Lesions of the Spinal Cord
Ana Rubio and Juan C. Troncoso

Forensic Aspects of Brain Tumors
Juan C. Troncoso and Charles G. Eberhart

Sudden Death of Central Nervous System Origin in Adults
Ana Rubio

Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths
Ling Li

Neuropathology of Brain Trauma in Infants and Children
L.J. Dragovic

Ophthalmic Pathologic Findings in Infantile Traumatic Brain Injury
J. Douglas Cameron and M. Vaughn Emerson

Infections of the Central Nervous System
Ana Rubio

Diseases of Myelin
Juan C. Troncoso

Neurodegenerative Diseases
Juan C. Troncoso and Olga Pletnikova

Neuropathology of Elderly Abuse and Neglect
Ana Rubio

Intoxications
Mary Ripple, Juan C. Troncoso, Ana Rubio, and Barry Levine

New Applications of Postmortem Neuroradiology in the Forensic Investigation of Death
Barry Daly and Robert Morales

Artifacts and Mimickers
Juan C. Troncoso