Stereopathy of the renal papilla: a stereomicroscopic autopsy study

Routine examination of the renal papilla with a stereomicroscope in 372 autopsies revealed a number of unexpected findings, including linear scarring of the papilla and marked vascular dilation of papillary vessels in black patients with sickle hemoglobinopathies, the presence of small tumors, and the rarity of papillary necrosis of the type seen in analgesic abuse. Stereomicroscopy also allows accurate documentation of the pattern and frequency of calcium deposition on the surface of the papilla (54.03 per cent of cases) and the incidence of early and well-formed calculi (8.06 per cent). Use of the stereomicroscope once again proved to be of inestimable value in routine autopsy service.