Final answer:
The autopsy revealed significant abnormalities in the patient's brain, including a softened area with a cavity and volume loss in various regions, leading to a lighter brain weight. These findings are considered the cause of death.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the autopsy, the most striking findings that caught Dr. G's attention were the abnormalities in the patient's brain, which were significant enough to be considered as a cause of death. The report notes a softened area in the perisylvian region of the brain with a cavity the size of a chicken's egg, filled with serous fluid. Additionally, there was volume loss in various parts of the brain such as the gyri, insula, and part of the striate nucleus. The autopsy findings indicate a much lighter brain weight, which is attributed to this loss of volume in the left cerebral hemisphere. Considering these findings, it is likely that the cause of death was related to the observed brain abnormalities.