Virtual Fetal Autopsy
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Abstract
Determining the cause of stillbirth is crucial for understanding preventable factors and managing future pregnancies. Currently, many parents decline conventional autopsy due to its invasive nature. To address this, less invasive autopsy methods based on imaging technology have been introduced as more accessible and acceptable options for parents. In addition to radiographs, other traditional clinical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) have been used in postmortem investigations, especially for fetuses over 20 weeks of gestation. Advanced techniques like high-field MRI (>7-T) and micro-focus computed tomography (micro-CT) have demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy, though they remain limited by accessibility. This article aims to provide a perspective on “virtual fetal autopsy” from a pathologist’s point of view to enhance obstetricians’ understanding.
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