The UV hand lamp as a helpful instrument for macroscopic visualisation of myocardial fibrosis during autopsy

The application of ultraviolet light in forensic practice is a well-tested method to visualise traces or skin alterations. When viewing myocardial sec tions under UV light at autopsy, bluish-white fluorescent areas became visi ble that could not be detected in the seemingly homogenous myocardium in da ylight. A systematic comparison of the macroscopic cardiac findings and the pertinent histological sections showed that in all cases with a positive U V fluorescence myocardial fibrosis or lipomatosis could be confirmed by his tological methods. The examination for UV fluorescence of the myocardium se ems to be a simple and rapid method improving the macroscopic perceptibilit y of fibrotic changes and minor scars.