A prospective study of 1152 hospital autopsies: II. Analysis of inaccuracies in clinical diagnoses and their significance

J Pathol. 1981 Apr;133(4):285-300. doi: 10.1002/path.1711330403.

Abstract

A further analysis of 1152 hospital autopsies provides data on inaccuracies of specific diagnoses; there are many examples of overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. All were encountered in a routine hospital autopsy service and their frequency confirms the importance of the hospital autopsy in medical audit. A knowledge of the misdiagnoses which recur frequently could provide guidance in the selection of cases for autopsy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute / diagnosis
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autopsy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnosis
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Female
  • Hospital Units
  • Humans
  • Infections / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis