American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology最新文献

Abstract: Cervical spine manipulation is a known risk factor for vertebral artery dissection. In this report, we present a case of fatal vertebral artery dissection that occurred as the result of self-manipulation of the cervical spine. The decedent was a 40-year-old man with no significant past medical history. He was observed to "crack his neck" while at work. Soon after, he began experiencing neck pain, then developed strokelike symptoms and became unresponsive. He was transported to a local medical center, where imaging showed bilateral vertebral artery dissection. His neurological status continued to decline, and brain death was pronounced several days later. An autopsy examination showed evidence of cerebellar and brainstem infarcts, herniation, and diffuse hypoxic-ischemic injury. A posterior neck dissection was performed to expose the vertebral arteries, which showed grossly visible hemorrhage and dilation. There was no evidence of traumatic injury to the bone or soft tissue of the head or neck. Bilateral dissection tracts were readily appreciated on microscopic examination. Death was attributed to self-manipulation of the neck, which in turn led to bilateral vertebral artery dissection, cerebellar and brainstem infarcts, herniation, hypoxic-ischemic injury, and ultimately brain death.

Abstract: Complex suicide is defined as death by the intentional use of more than 1 method to end one's life. Complex suicides can fit into the planned or premeditated category, where 2 or more methods are used simultaneously or in close succession, or unplanned, the use of 2 or more methods, in which the first method attempted fails (often because it is too unpleasant or painful), and another method is employed subsequently that is successful.A retrospective review of 3 years of suicide fatalities examined by the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Reno, Nevada, was conducted. A total of 725 suicide cases dated from April 1, 2020, to April 1, 2023, were reviewed, including autopsy, toxicology, and scene investigation reports. Among the 725 suicide cases reviewed, 19 cases (2.62%) of complex suicide were identified. Of those cases, 17 employed 2 methods, and 2 cases employed 3 methods. No cases were identified with >3 methods.In the 19 complex suicides that were identified, gender, age, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, religion, race, occupation, incident location, suicide note, suicidal ideation history, past suicide attempt, psychiatric disorders, and motive for suicide were examined in addition to methods used.

Abstract: Despite the implementation of numerous strategies to prevent unintentional burns, fire-related thermal injuries remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, fires that occur in the setting of medical oxygen do so despite many safeguards and warnings that accompany oxygen therapy. Oxygen-related accidental fires can occur both within the home and medical settings, and burns associated with these events tend to produce injuries of the face and upper airways. Thermal burns of the face and upper airway are of particular concern because of the vital respiratory function of these anatomic structures, and may initially appear minor, but due to the inhalational injury mechanism, can contribute to death. In this report, three deaths associated with accidental oxygen therapy-related facial/upper airway burns are reported, one occurring during surgery, and two occurring during home-oxygen use.

Abstract: Since 2015, the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Sudden Death in the Young (SDY) Case Registry has characterized sudden and unexpected deaths among young people (0-20 years). Families may provide informed consent to save biospecimens for banking and/or genomic research. We reviewed all consent-eligible cases to describe the frequency, time from death to consent, type (paper, phone, or electronic), and staffing method (Medical Examiner Office-based bereavement counselor vs outsourced genetic counselor). Of 5438 cases from January 2015 to January 2022, 3498 (64%) were eligible for consent and 391 (11%) were successfully consented. Half (54%) were obtained within 60 days of the death, 39% within 48 hours. Most were paper based (73%); 23% were obtained by phone, and 4% electronically. Consent rates varied by site from 3% to 66%. Higher consent rates were achieved within a Medical Examiner Office by a social worker or death investigator. Only 3% of consents attempted by a contracted genetic counselor were successful. Identified barriers include lack of available contact information, inability to reach family using the collected information, and lack of response when contacted. Consent rates were highest shortly after death when families were contacted by the Medical Examiner Office as part of bereavement outreach.

Abstract: The present study investigated the main morphological differences between the permanent cavities formed by 4 different types of projectiles fired from .38 SPL caliber cartridges in blocks of 10% ballistic gelatin with standardized formulation (Federal Bureau of Investigation Protocol), all fired from the same distance and from the same firearm, associated with its performances in external and terminal ballistics. The velocity or the mass presented by a firearm projectile will not always be solely responsible for the final configuration of the permanent cavity, in which the projectile design, for example, is an equally important element. Each type of projectile tested in the present work generated a different kind of permanent cavity, but they also varied in velocity (m/s) and energy (J). The use of 10% ballistic gelatin in scientific research that seeks to investigate the external and terminal ballistics of projectiles can contribute to the practice of professionals working either in forensic pathology or applied ballistics scenarios, as they can experimentally simulate the events that can occur in the tissues of victims inflicted by gunshot wounds, which also allows important applications in the medical, commercial, civil, and military sectors that deal with products and technologies related to the human body.

Abstract: Although fat embolism in the pulmonary or systemic circulation is usually associated with long bone fractures, it can also occur less frequently during surgical operations, such as liposuction, fat grafting, and joint repair. This study aims to present cases of macro fat embolism resulting in sudden death during the perioperative period. Three cases with a history of sudden death during the perioperative period were included in this study. The surgical operation histories, autopsy findings, and histopathological findings of the cases were evaluated. Fat globules were detected in the medium-sized vessel lumens in the lungs of the cases who died suddenly during surgery. Grade 4 fat embolism was observed in the capillaries, which stained positively with Oil-Red-O in all three cases. Fat embolism syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition that should be considered in patients with respiratory distress and impaired neurological status in the postoperative period.

Abstract: A common treatment for venous thromboembolic disease in patients with contraindications to anticoagulation includes placement of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. Temporary filters are available to avoid the risk of long-term permanent placement. A woman in her 60s with a history of uterine serous carcinoma presented to the emergency department with cardiac arrest following elective attempted IVC filter removal. Three months prior, a temporary filter was placed because anticoagulation medication was stopped in preparation for a hysterectomy. During the IVC retrieval procedure, which was performed using an intravascular approach from the right jugular vein, the filter was tilted, requiring the use of a different retrieval sheath. During catheter reentry, the patient complained of discomfort in the chest and neck, after which she became hypotensive, lost consciousness, and died. Autopsy revealed 2 cardiac perforations, one in each ventricle. Approximately 600 mL of liquid and clotted blood was within the tense pericardial sac. An IVC filter was found in place, with no adjacent hemorrhage.To our knowledge, this is the first reported fatality due to cardiac perforation by an access sheath during intravascular removal of an IVC filter. This instance also documents the time course of the cardiac perforations to the resultant loss of consciousness.

Abstract: This article presents a case of severe CPR-related injuries leading to diagnosis of vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The subject is a 36-year-old female with a past medical history of a 10-mm aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery discovered on imaging 3 years prior to death. Major autopsy findings included subarachnoid hemorrhage in the base of the brain, bilateral hemothoraces, hemopericardium, laceration of the interatrial septum, laceration of the left pulmonary artery, and changes secondary to chronic alveolar hemorrhage in the lungs. The autopsy findings and subsequent unremarkable toxicology studies led to the suspicion of an underlying and clinically undiagnosed connective tissue disorder. Broad genetic exome testing revealed a mutation consistent with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. An overview of this disease, its diagnosis, and differential are further described herein, along with recommendations for forensic pathologists.