At autopsy of a suspected morphine overdose, the characteristic postmortem finding in the brain is:
- A Acute neuronal necrosis in cortex
- B No specific morphological change; diagnosis based on toxicology ✓
- C Cerebral edema with bilateral petechial haemorrhages in white matter
- D Demyelination of posterior columns
Correct answer: B. No specific morphological change; diagnosis based on toxicology
Explanation
Morphine and opioid overdose deaths do not produce pathognomonic histological changes in the brain. The gross finding of pulmonary edema is characteristic, and the definitive diagnosis rests on toxicological analysis of blood, urine, vitreous humor, and liver. Microscopy may show only nonspecific hypoxic changes.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.