Analysis of cause of death and histopathological stages of diffuse alveolar damage in lung: An autopsy study

Abstract

Introduction: Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is histopathological finding of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is associated with disorders such as poisoning, sepsis, trauma, etc. Aims and objective: Analysis of cause of death and histopathological stages of diffuse alveolar damage in lung autopsy Material and method: Multiple section taken during grossing of lung specimen and processed with subsequent staining by haematoxylin and eosin, stained slide were examined by experienced pathologist under a light microscope. Result: 34 out of 536 individuals who were diagnosed with DAD 9(26.47%) were female and 25 (73.53%) were male. Microscopic finding shows that 27(79.41%) cases were in the exudative phase, and 7 (20.59%) were in the organizing (proliferative) phase. Macrophage desquamation, pulmonary edema and alveolar epithelial cell desquamation were present in majority of patient. Conclusion: Aged individual are frequently affected and particularly in sepsis, intoxication, poisoning, trauma and fire. Forensic autopsies may provide a platform for increasing our knowledge about DAD, acute lung damage and interstitial lung disease.