Under the Microscope

"An occasional rare neuron was located." From the autopsy report of Theresa Schiavo (pdf).

Within the cerebellum, "there were no recognizeable Purkinje cells found."

"The dorsal motor nucleus was relatively preserved, as was the hypoglossal nucleus. The reticular activating system was also relatively preserved. The locus ceruleus and median raphe nucleus were relatively preserved. The cardiorespiratory centers in the medulla oblongata were relatively preserved."

"Brain weight is an important index of its pathological state. Brain weight is correlated with height, weight, age, and sex. The decedent's brain was grossly abnormal and weighed only 615 grams (1.35 lbs.). That weight is less than half of the expected tabular weight for a decedent of her adult age of 41 years 3 months and 28 days. By way of comparison, the brain of Karen Ann Quinlan weighed 835 grams at the time of her death, after 10 years in a similar persistent vegetative state."

"Much discussion took place in the media concerning why the decedent had not undergone an MRI scan of her brain, rather than only a brain CT scan while alive. Last month, the Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory to healthcare providers that serious injury or death can occur when patients with implanted neurological stimulators--such as the decedent's implanted thalamic stimulator--undergo MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) procedures."

The report notes that neuropathology cannot confirm a diagnosis of persistent vegetative state or minimal consciousness, but reading the report leaves me with the strong sense that the majority of Theresa Schiavo's existence at the time of her death was based in her brain stem.

Her parents, by the way, are said to be considering some kind of legal action based on the release of the report. Tragedy builds upon tragedy, and they seem unwilling to ever let it leave them.