Sudden death due to a dissecting intramural hematoma of the esophagus (DIHE) in a woman with severe neurofibromatosis-related scoliosis

An atypical case of fatal 'esophageal apoplexy': post-mortem findings and differential diagnosis

Forensic pathologists need to have comprehensive knowledge of a large variety of causes of sudden natural death. We describe a case of sudden and unexpected death in woman in her sixties due to rupture of a large paraesophageal hematoma. The post-mortem examination and differential diagnosis are discussed. The combined findings of whole-body post-mortem CT imaging (PMCT), targeted PMCT angiography, autopsy, and histology are most in keeping with 'esophageal apoplexy'; a rare cause of hemorrhage in the esophageal wall. A review of the literature indicates that most cases of esophageal apoplexy are self-limiting and that fatal complications are exceedingly rare. Our case demonstrates that esophageal apoplexy can present as sudden unexpected death.

Hemorrhagic shock due to submucosal esophageal hematoma along with mallory-weiss syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND

Esophageal submucosal hematoma is a rare condition. Although the exact etiology remains uncertain, vessel fragility with external factors is believed to have led to submucosal bleeding and hematoma formation; the vessel was ruptured by a sudden increase in pressure due to nausea, and the hematoma was enlarged by antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. Serious conditions are rare, with a better prognosis. We present the first known case of submucosal esophageal hematoma-subsequent hemorrhagic shock due to Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

CASE SUMMARY

A 73-year-old female underwent endovascular treatment for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm. The patient received aspirin and clopidogrel before surgery and heparin during surgery, and was well during the surgery. Several hours after returning to the ICU, she complained of chest discomfort, vomited 500 mL of fresh blood, and entered hemorrhagic shock. Esophageal submucosal hematoma with Mallory-Weiss syndrome was diagnosed through an endoscopic examination and computed tomography. In addition to a massive fluid and erythrocyte transfusion, we performed a temporary compression for hemostasis with a Sengstaken-Blakemore (S-B) tube. Afterwards, she became hemodynamically stable. On postoperative day 1, we performed an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and confirmed no expansion of the hematoma nor any recurring bleeding; therefore, we removed the S-B tube and clipped the gastric mucosal laceration at the esophagogastric junction. We started oral intake on postoperative day 10. The patient made steady progress, and was discharged on postoperative day 33.

CONCLUSION

We present the first known case of submucosal esophageal hematoma subsequent hemorrhagic shock due to Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

A case of spontaneous esophageal submucosal hematoma

A 78-year-old man visited a nearby hospital owing to chest pain triggered by vomiting. As computed tomography revealed suspected esophageal perforation, he was referred to our hospital. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed blood coagula extending from the middle intra-thoracic to the esophago-cardiac junction (ECJ), and it was diagnosed as an esophageal submucosal hematoma. Conservative therapy was initiated by fasting and discontinuing oral anticoagulants. The lesion was monitored by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. On day 12 of the symptom appearance, the hematoma had completely disappeared and on day 22, the patient was discharged from the hospital. In most cases, esophageal submucosal hematoma has a favorable course with preservative treatment. Esophageal submucosal hematoma should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses for chest pain triggered by vomiting.

Sudden Death in Adults: A Practical Flow Chart for Pathologist Guidance

The medico-legal term "sudden death (SD)" refers to those deaths that are not preceded by significant symptoms. SD in apparently healthy individuals (newborn through to adults) represents a challenge for medical examiners, law enforcement officers, and society as a whole. This review aims to introduce a useful flowchart that should be applied in all cases of SD. Particularly, this flowchart mixes the data obtained through an up-to-date literature review and a revision of the latest version of guidelines for autopsy investigation of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in order to support medico-legal investigation. In light of this review, following the suggested flowchart step-by-step, the forensic pathologist will be able to apply all the indications of the scientific community to real cases. Moreover, it will be possible to answer all questions relative to SD, such as: death may be attributable to cardiac disease or to other causes, the nature of the cardiac disease (defining whether the mechanism was arrhythmic or mechanical), whether the condition causing SD may be inherited (with subsequent genetic counseling), the assumption of toxic or illicit drugs, traumas, and other unnatural causes.

An Autopsy Case of Sudden Death in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 With Pheochromocytoma and Myocarditis

An autopsy case of sudden death in a 33-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 (von Recklinghausen disease), pheochromocytoma, and myocarditis is reported. The decedent was found in his bedroom in cardiopulmonary arrest. Polypoid, elastic dermal papules on the neck, chest, abdomen, and back, and flat dark-brown macules on the chest and abdomen were observed. Flat, ovoid, dark-brown freckles were present in both axillae. Examination of the right adrenal gland revealed a tumor measuring 5 cm × 5 cm × 3 cm. Microscopic examination of the myocardium revealed moderate neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltrates. In the right adrenal gland, tumor cells contained abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and exhibited cell-nesting with an alveolar pattern (Zellballen). Polygonal cells were seen together with rich vascular networks. Immunohistochemical analyses showed cells diffusely positive for chromogranin A and dopamine β-hydroxylase. Furthermore, blood from the right heart and the right common iliac vein contained high concentrations of serum epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Death was attributed to adrenal crisis: circulatory failure caused by excessive catecholamines produced by the pheochromocytoma. In addition, myocarditis, which had been induced chronically by catecholamines, would have also contributed adversely to the clinical course. Pheochromocytoma and myocarditis should be considered when sudden death occurs in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Heart rate variability as predictive factor for sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) represents about 25% of deaths in clinical cardiology. The identification of risk factors for SCD is the philosopher's stone of cardiology and the identification of non-invasive markers of risk of SCD remains one of the most important goals for the scientific community.The aim of this review is to analyze the state of the art around the heart rate variability (HRV) as a predictor factor for SCD.HRV is probably the most analyzed index in cardiovascular risk stratification technical literature, therefore an important number of models and methods have been developed.Nowadays, low HRV has been shown to be independently predictive of increased mortality in post- myocardial infarction patients, heart failure patients, in contrast with the data of the general population.Contrariwise, the relationship between HRV and SCD has received scarce attention in low-risk cohorts. Furthermore, in general population the attributable risk is modest and the cost/benefit ratio is not always convenient.The HRV evaluation could become an important tool for health status in risks population, even though the use of HRV alone for risk stratification of SCD is limited and further studies are needed.

Fatal retroperitoneal bleeding caused by neurofibromatosis: a case report and review of the literature

A young female was brought into the emergency department with pulseless electrical activity (PEA) after local resection of neurofibromateous lesions. Chest ultrasonography was normal. Abdominal ultrasonography was not performed. After successful resuscitation a total body CT-scan was performed to rule out potential bleeding sources. However, haemodynamic instability reoccurred and the scan had to be aborted at the thoracoabdominal level. No thoracic abnormalities were found. Resuscitation was reinitiated and abdominal ultrasonography was performed, showing a large amount of abdominal fluid. A progressive fall in haemoglobin was noted. Emergency laparotomy was performed, revealing a large retroperitoneal haematoma. Despite ligation and packing, bleeding continued. Postoperative angiography showed active bleeding from a branch of the left internal iliac artery, which could be successfully coiled. Unfortunately, the patient died five days later due to irreversible brain damage. Revision of an MRI scan made one year earlier showed a 10 cm large retroperitoneal neurofibromatous lesion exactly at the location of the current bleeding. This case shows that patients with neurofibromatosis might develop spontaneous life-threatening bleeding from retroperitoneal located lesions. Furthermore, it points out the necessity of focused assessment with ultrasonography of the abdomen in all patients with PEA of unknown origin.