A simple method for gross examination of the brain in abortuses and macerated fetuses.

The use of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening and sonography has led to an increase in the prenatal diagnosis of major central nervous system (CNS) malformations. Therefore, it is important to correctly identify the type of malformation for proper counseling. We describe an autopsy method--freezing and sectioning of the fetal head--that should increase the accuracy of diagnosis after second-trimester abortion.