The postmortem diagnosis of diffuse cerebral injuries, with special reference to the importance of brain fixation.

In 3 cases of head injury the main finding was the diffuse axonal injury pattern of brain damage. This is characterised post mortem by focal lesions in the corpus callosum and rostral (anterior) brainstem, together with diffuse damage to white matter. In order to diagnose this and other forms of diffuse injury, the importance of fixing the brain before examination is stressed. In addition, microscopic examination is often required, though of relatively few sections from readily predictable anatomical locations. A suggested method of approach is proposed, which will greatly facilitate diagnosis of this surprisingly common condition.