IMMERSION TECHNIQUE FOR BRAIN REMOVAL IN PERINATAL AUTOPSIES

Perinatal autopsies present forensic pathologists with a variety of ch allenges, not the least of which involves the removal and examination of very small and sometimes fragile organs. Removal of the immature br ain can be particularly troublesome. Even if great care is taken durin g brain removal, one is often left with no more than a semifluid amorp hous mass of softened tissue by the lime the brain is ready to be fixe d in formalin. We describe a method of perinatal brain removal which h elps to preserve brain shape and integrity. By removing the brain whil e the head (and body) is totally immersed in water, we find that the b rain is easier to remove and less apt to destruction. Subsequent fixat ion in formalin results in well-preserved: intact specimens, allowing for optimal examination and sectioning.