How often is autopsy contributory in cases of sepsis?

This study sought to determine how often a medico-legal (coronial) autopsy contributes by identifying the source of infection when there has been a clinical diagnosis of sepsis prior to death. Autopsy reports were retrieved in which it was documented there had been a clinical diagnosis of sepsis preceding death. The autopsy report was reviewed to determine if a source for sepsis had been identified. It was found the autopsy was contributory in this respect in less than one fifth of all cases (35 of 198, 18%). It was also determined if there was a post-autopsy diagnosis of sepsis or if sepsis was excluded by a definite alternative diagnosis. During the study, of the 198 cases, sepsis was excluded by an alternative diagnosis in 78 (39%). Thus, the autopsy may be of more application to confirming or excluding a diagnosis of sepsis than identifying a source for sepsis.