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Simonit F, Da Broi U, Giudici F, Sciarappa OE, Innocenti D, Desinan L. Autopsy findings in fire deaths in relation to manner of death: Analysis of autopsy records in Friuli, Italy (1993-2020). Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 67:102372. [PMID: 38154314 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The determination of the cause and manner of death can be particularly difficult in burned and charred bodies and autopsy remains a key element in the investigation. In this study, 39 autopsy records of fire deaths were reviewed in relation to the manner of death (25 accidents, 8 suicides, 3 homicides and 3 instances in which the manner of death remained undetermined). The analysis focused on the study of the burns, the degree to which the bodies were consumed by fire and the evidence of signs of vital exposure to fire and of non-fire-related injuries. Total surface body area (TBSA) was found to be significantly higher (p = 0.02) in suicides than in accidents. Moreover, the degree of destruction according to the Crow-Glassman Scale and the presence of a pugilistic posture tended to be higher in suicides compared to accidental deaths, whereas such parameters were found to be variable in homicides. With regard to the anatomical distribution of burns, in contrast with the literature, the feet were affected by burning in all suicides, with a significantly higher prevalence than in accidents (p < 0.01). Traumatic non-fire related injuries were noted in all homicides (with no signs of vital exposure to fire), 1 complicated suicide, 1 undetermined death and 13 accidents. We found that very few studies have focused on the analysis of burn distribution and extension according to manner of death and that there is currently no standardised anatomical model with which to study these variables for forensic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Simonit
- Università degli Studi di Udine, Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Italy.
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Università degli Studi di Udine, Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Italy
| | - Fabiola Giudici
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Orazio Elia Sciarappa
- Università degli Studi di Udine, Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Italy
| | - Dario Innocenti
- Università degli Studi di Udine, Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Desinan
- Università degli Studi di Udine, Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Italy
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2
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Perogio M, Simonit F, Da Broi U, Desinan L. Manner of death determination in a case of gastric mucosal tears. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 66:102367. [PMID: 38039656 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Gastric tears are rarely described in the forensic pathological literature, although they can lead to a fatal acute exsanguination. Such lesions can arise from several conditions leading to an increased intragastric pressure, such as Mallory Weiss syndrome, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, acute barotrauma and operative procedures, showing peculiar morphological features. We present a case of a 32-year-old drug addicted white woman found dead in a pool of blood in the house of her drug dealer, after taking a dose of intravenous heroin. At autopsy, abundant bloody gastric content and multiple and long gastric tears, extending from the cardias and fundus regions to the gastric corpus were observed; one of them involved the subserous region, resulting in a gastric wall rupture. The victim had no history of recent vomiting and of gastro-intestinal pathologies. Drugs and ethanol levels detected in the specimens of the victim were not consistent with lethal concentrations, thus the death was attributed to acute exsanguination. After reviewing the literature, it turned out that morphological aspects of the gastric tears, such as number, size and topographical distribution, observed at autopsy were atypical compared to those of typical gastric lacerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Perogio
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, School of Legal Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Francesco Simonit
- Department of Medicine, Legal Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Legal Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Desinan
- Department of Medicine, Legal Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Da Broi U, Simonit F, Desinan L, Tse R, Garland J, Ondruschka B, Mann D. Medicolegal Implications of Deaths due to Agricultural Accidents. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2024:00000433-990000000-00152. [PMID: 38261551 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Agriculture encompasses a variety of activities that carry with them a variety of different risks. The unsafe use of vehicles, machinery, and tools as well as animal husbandry, working at heights, and exposure to chemical, biological, and weather events may result in the deaths of agricultural workers. Inexperienced operators and/or their inappropriate conduct may lead to avoidable fatalities. Forensic pathologists operating with the support of agricultural engineers or other professionals must evaluate the death scene, the case background and circumstances, the autopsy findings, and the toxicological data to establish the factors and dynamics responsible for such accidents and deaths.The aim of this review is to focus on the diagnostic approach required, by means of an interdisciplinary approach, to identify the cause of some typical agricultural fatalities, to confirm that death was accidental, and to help exclude the possibility of homicide or suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Da Broi
- From the Department of Medicine, Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Francesco Simonit
- From the Department of Medicine, Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Desinan
- From the Department of Medicine, Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Jack Garland
- Queensland Public Health and Scientific Services, Queensland, Australia
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Danny Mann
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
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Simonit F, Da Broi U, Angeli F, Innocenti D, Desinan L. A charred body inside a burning car with a garden hose connected to the exhaust pipe: Post-mortem self-immolation, a complex or a complicated suicide after the ingestion of alcohol? The importance of an interdisciplinary approach. J Forensic Sci 2024; 69:341-345. [PMID: 37787181 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of charred bodies represents a serious challenge for forensic pathologists, and an interdisciplinary approach is often the only way to determine the cause and manner of death. We present an unusual case in which the charred body of a 61-year-old man was found inside his burning vehicle. In order to determine cause and manner of death, an interdisciplinary team was employed, with experts in forensic pathology, forensic radiology, toxicology and fire investigations. Post-mortem computed tomography, autopsy and toxicology ruled out the presence of trauma injury and detected signs of vital exposure to fire and blood alcohol levels. On the other hand, according to fire investigations, the fire started inside the car and partially burned fragments of a garden hose were found along the right side of the car. A suicide could therefore be hypothesized, with the man having attempted to poison himself with the car's exhaust fumes and having set the car on fire. The death was consistent with a complicated suicide in which the victim, in a state of reduced capability, accidentally set his car on fire and was unable to escape. The hypothesis of a complex suicide, with the car having been set deliberately on fire, could not, however, be ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Simonit
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Dario Innocenti
- Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici DIUM, Università degli Studi di Udine, ne, Udine, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Desinan
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
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Gadsby Z, Garland J, Martin J, Thompson M, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Tse R. Validating Counting Binucleated Myocytes: Addendum to "Binucleated Myocytes and Heart Weight: A Preliminary Study Linking Cardiac Hypertrophy and Myocyte Hypertrophy". Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2023; 44:362-363. [PMID: 38019951 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
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Gadsby Z, Garland J, Thompson M, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Tse R. Binucleated Myocytes and Heart Weight: A Preliminary Study Linking Cardiac Hypertrophy and Myocyte Hypertrophy. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2023; 44:273-277. [PMID: 37527350 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Hypertrophy of the heart is assessed by heart weight (and dimensions) and myocyte hypertrophy. Establishing an association between the two may be useful in assessing hypertrophy in cases where there are limitations in assessing the heart weight. This preliminary study explored the association between the number of binucleated myocytes (a feature of myocyte hypertrophy) in a randomly chosen single high-power field of the left ventricular free wall and heart weight in an adult White population. It also compared the number of binucleated myocytes between cases with increased heart weight (>400 g in female and >500 g in male) and cases with normal heart weight. Heart weight and number of binucleated myocytes correlated significantly in male only. Increased heart weight had a significantly higher number of binucleated myocytes, with 8.5 binucleated myocytes being able to segregate cases with increased heart weight (74% sensitivity and 79% specificity). The results of this study showed the number of binucleated myocytes may have a complementary role in assessing hypertrophy of the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeena Gadsby
- From the Griffith University School of Medicine, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jack Garland
- Queensland Public Health and Scientific Services, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Simonit F, Colatutto A, Giudici F, Broi UD, Sciarappa O, Desinan L. Emerging issues in the approach to submerged bodies: Water-related deaths in Friuli, northeastern Italy (1993-2020). Analysis of post-mortem reports and some unusual cases. Med Sci Law 2023; 63:187-194. [PMID: 36131506 DOI: 10.1177/00258024221127574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
When analysing bodies recovered from a watery environment, all manners of death, a variety of causes of death and the possibility of body disposal have to be considered. Unclear circumstances of death, unidentified victims and body decomposition may hamper a forensic investigation. The lack of specific and sensitive drowning-related autopsy findings and post-mortem blood alcohol levels (blood alcohol concentrations (BACs)) may also lead to erroneous conclusions. We reviewed the autopsy records for all bodies recovered from water in Friuli, northeastern Italy, over a 28-year period, focusing on death circumstances, autopsy findings and blood alcohol levels. Some unusual cases were examined separately. Among the 69 cases, there were 32 accidents, 13 suicides, 4 homicides, 6 natural and 14 undetermined deaths. Causes of death included 51 drownings, 6 undetermined, 5 cardiac deaths and 7 non-drownings. Six deaths in a bathtub and one diving-related death were also included. Acute alcohol intoxication was ascertained in 22 of 40 victims. Some significant limitations in the approach to water-related deaths have been highlighted: although emphysema aquosum and external foam resulted to be the most reliable indicators, a determination of drowning based exclusively on autopsy findings cannot be ascertained with certainty. Furthermore, it was found that the standard definitions of wet and dry drowning in the literature differ widely from a morphological perspective and this may lead to misleading outcomes. Post-mortem BAC changes have been critically analysed only in bodies found in cold water, and, in the absence of an alternative to blood specimens, the use of pre-set cut-off values is still necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Simonit
- Università degli Studi di Udine, DIpartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Udine, Italy
| | - Antonio Colatutto
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Laboratorio, Laboratorio Analisi d'Elezione, Presidio Ospedaliero Santa Maria della Misericordia, ASU FC, Udine, Italy
| | - Fabiola Giudici
- Università degli Studi di Padova, Unità di Biostatistica, Epidemiologia e Sanità Pubblica, Padova, Italy
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Università degli Studi di Udine, DIpartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Udine, Italy
| | - Orazio Sciarappa
- Università degli Studi di Udine, DIpartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Udine, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Desinan
- Università degli Studi di Udine, DIpartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Udine, Italy
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Garland J, Thompson M, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Thompson I, Olumbe A, Tse R. Gross Heart Dimensions From Postmortem Computed Tomography and Postmortem Examination Measurements: Heart Weight and Cardiac Hypertrophy. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2023:00000433-990000000-00083. [PMID: 37249480 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT An increased heart weight (cardiac hypertrophy) is associated with underlying heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Gross heart dimensions can be used to estimate heart weight as a surrogate for cardiac hypertrophy. These dimensions can be obtained from either postmortem computed tomography or postmortem examination. This study compared the gross heart dimensions, heart weight estimations, and ability to determine cardiac hypertrophy (>400 and >500 g) between these 2 methods. The results showed that gross dimensions from postmortem computed tomography were significantly smaller and overall had less accuracy in estimating heart weight than dissection. In terms of cardiac hypertrophy, both methods were comparable and had reasonably high sensitivity and specificity, albeit having slightly varied characteristics, to determine whether the heart showed hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Garland
- From the Queensland Public Health and Scientific Services
| | | | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Isabella Thompson
- Bond University, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Robina, Queensland, Australia
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Garland J, Tse R, Loelu L, McCarthy S, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Glenn C, Kesha K, Morrow P, Simon S. Unexpected high prevalence of infant resuscitation related rib fractures identified radiologically in postmortem population. Pathology 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2021.12.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Garland J, Ondruschka B, Broi UD, Palmiere C, Glenn C, Morrow P, Kesha K, Stables S, Tse R. Levels of haemolysis have no effect on femoral vein post-mortem tryptase levels. Med Sci Law 2021; 61:250-255. [PMID: 33653191 DOI: 10.1177/0025802421998851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Haemolysis is reported to be an artefact that may alter post-mortem tryptase levels. However, previous studies did not sample peripheral blood using newly standardised methods. Recent studies have shown that some previously recognised peri- and post-mortem confounders can be muted by careful sample collection with first clamping and then sampling the femoral vein. This prospective study investigated the relationship between the degree of haemolysis of the blood samples and femoral vein post-mortem tryptase levels when sampled using this recommended method. Seventy consecutive post-mortem tryptase levels in non-anaphylactic deaths were compared to the degree of haemolysis of these samples, and results showed no significant correlation between them. The mean post-mortem tryptase level was 9.5 μg/L. This study demonstrated that the effects of haemolysis on femoral vein post-mortem tryptase was negligible when the blood was sampled using the recommended sampling method. Future studies on post-mortem tryptase as well as other typically used blood markers in forensics are recommended to adopt this method of blood sampling in routine practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Garland
- Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court Complex, NSW Health Pathology, Australia
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Italy
| | - Cristian Palmiere
- CURML, University Centre of Legal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Charley Glenn
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
| | - Paul Morrow
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
| | - Kilak Kesha
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
| | - Simon Stables
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
| | - Rexson Tse
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
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McCarthy S, Duffy M, Garland J, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Stables S, Tse R. Quantifying the loss of pulmonary fluid from dissecting the lung at post-mortem. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1981442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sinead McCarthy
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael Duffy
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jack Garland
- Forensic and Analytical Science Service, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Simon Stables
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rexson Tse
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Garland J, Hu M, Duffy M, Kesha K, Glenn C, Morrow P, Stables S, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Tse RD. Classifying Microscopic Acute and Old Myocardial Infarction Using Convolutional Neural Networks. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2021; 42:230-234. [PMID: 33833193 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Convolutional neural network (CNN) has advanced in recent years and translated from research into medical practice, most notably in clinical radiology and histopathology. Research on CNNs in forensic/postmortem pathology is almost exclusive to postmortem computed tomography despite the wealth of research into CNNs in surgical/anatomical histopathology. This study was carried out to investigate whether CNNs are able to identify and age myocardial infarction (a common example of forensic/postmortem histopathology) from histology slides. As a proof of concept, this study compared 4 CNNs commonly used in surgical/anatomical histopathology to identify normal myocardium from myocardial infarction. A total of 150 images of the myocardium (50 images each for normal myocardium, acute myocardial infarction, and old myocardial infarction) were used to train and test each CNN. One of the CNNs used (InceptionResNet v2) was able to show a greater than 95% accuracy in classifying normal myocardium from acute and old myocardial infarction. The result of this study is promising and demonstrates that CNN technology has potential applications as a screening and computer-assisted diagnostics tool in forensic/postmortem histopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Garland
- From the Forensic and Analytical Science Service, NSW Health Pathology, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mindy Hu
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael Duffy
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kilak Kesha
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Charley Glenn
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul Morrow
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon Stables
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Ioelu L, Garland J, Palmiere C, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Glenn C, Kesha K, Stables S, Tse R, Morrow P. Use of vitreous humor electrolytes in estimating postmortem interval in infant population (<1 year). AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1901989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leilani Ioelu
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jack Garland
- Forensic and Analytical Science Service, NSW Health Pathology, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cristian Palmiere
- CURML, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Charley Glenn
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kilak Kesha
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon Stables
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rexson Tse
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul Morrow
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Northern Forensic Pathology Service of New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
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Zwirner J, Anders S, Bohnert S, Burkhardt R, Da Broi U, Hammer N, Pohlers D, Tse R, Ondruschka B. Screening for Fatal Traumatic Brain Injuries in Cerebrospinal Fluid Using Blood-Validated CK and CK-MB Immunoassays. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1061. [PMID: 34356685 PMCID: PMC8301791 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A single, specific, sensitive biochemical biomarker that can reliably diagnose a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has not yet been found, but combining different biomarkers would be the most promising approach in clinical and postmortem settings. In addition, identifying new biomarkers and developing laboratory tests can be time-consuming and economically challenging. As such, it would be efficient to use established clinical diagnostic assays for postmortem biochemistry. In this study, postmortem cerebrospinal fluid samples from 45 lethal TBI cases and 47 controls were analyzed using commercially available blood-validated assays for creatine kinase (CK) activity and its heart-type isoenzyme (CK-MB). TBI cases with a survival time of up to two hours showed an increase in both CK and CK-MB with moderate (CK-MB: AUC = 0.788, p < 0.001) to high (CK: AUC = 0.811, p < 0.001) diagnostic accuracy. This reflected the excessive increase of the brain-type CK isoenzyme (CK-BB) following a TBI. The results provide evidence that CK immunoassays can be used as an adjunct quantitative test aid in diagnosing acute TBI-related fatalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Zwirner
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 22529 Hamburg, Germany;
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Anders
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 22529 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Simone Bohnert
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Wuerzburg, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany;
| | - Ralph Burkhardt
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Niels Hammer
- Institute of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
- Department of Trauma, Orthopedic and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, 09126 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dirk Pohlers
- Center of Diagnostics, Klinikum Chemnitz, 09116 Chemnitz, Germany;
| | - Rexson Tse
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 22529 Hamburg, Germany;
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Garland J, Hu M, Kesha K, Glenn C, Duffy M, Morrow P, Stables S, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Tse R. An overview of artificial intelligence/deep learning. Pathology 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2021.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Biphasic anaphylaxis is an uncommon IgE-mediated condition whose pathophysiological mechanisms, risk factors, and predictive signs are not properly understood. Fortunately, the lethality of biphasic anaphylaxis, although probably underestimated, is low. Preventive clinical measures for biphasic anaphylaxis are neither standardized nor commonly applied. Furthermore, there are no laboratory protocols or anaphylactic markers to help identify the onset of biphasic anaphylaxis in clinical settings. The aim of this review is to highlight the medicolegal difficulties facing coroners and forensic pathologists in terms of the diagnosis and assessment of harm for victims and survivors of biphasic anaphylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Da Broi
- From the Department of Medicine, Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Carlo Moreschi
- From the Department of Medicine, Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Giulia Marega
- From the Department of Medicine, Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Jack Garland
- Forensic and Analytical Science Service, NSW Health Pathology, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cristian Palmiere
- CURML, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Garland J, Ondruschka B, Da Broi U, Palmiere C, Glenn C, Morrow P, Kesha K, Stables S, Tse R. Differences Between Central and Peripheral Postmortem Tryptase Levels. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2021; 42:125-129. [PMID: 33031126 DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Postmortem tryptase is a commonly used biochemical test to aid in the diagnosis of fatal anaphylaxis, which is currently recommended to be sampled from peripheral (femoral) veins because of a research showing comparatively elevated levels from central blood sources. Previous studies have used nonstandardized or nondocumented sampling methods; however, more recent research demonstrates that tryptase levels may vary depending on the sampling method. This study used the recommended sampling method of aspirating the femoral vein after clamping and compared in a pairwise comparison with aspiration of central venous and arterial blood sources (inferior vena cava and aorta) in 2 groups of 25 nonanaphylactic deaths. We found no statistically significant differences in postmortem tryptase between central and femoral vein blood; however, sporadic outliers in central blood (particularly aortic blood reaching levels above documented cutoffs for fatal anaphylaxis) were observed. Our findings provide evidence for the existing recommendations that femoral vein blood remains the preferred sample for postmortem tryptase over central blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Garland
- From the Forensic and Analytical Science Service, NSW Health Pathology, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Cristian Palmiere
- CURML, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Charley Glenn
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital
| | - Paul Morrow
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital
| | - Kilak Kesha
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital
| | - Simon Stables
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital
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Simonit F, Da Broi U, Colatutto A, Desinan L. Submerged corpses of an elderly couple retrieved from a canal with alcohol detected in their blood: A rare case of murder-suicide by drowning? J Forensic Leg Med 2021; 80:102153. [PMID: 33831651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The body of an elderly man and his disabled wife were found submerged in a canal in open country one afternoon. They had last been seen alive that morning. The man's car was parked close to the canal and the woman's wheelchair was located in a stable position a few meters from the canal bank, facing away from the water. There were abrasions and bruises on the woman's forearms and hands and lower left leg, and the man's body displayed a bruise on the left hand and an abrasion of the left thumb likely caused by a fingernail. Other observations included frothy fluid exuding from the nose and in the airways, overdistended lungs with rib impressions and clear watery fluid in the stomach of both victims. Ethanol was detected in the peripheral blood of both corpses (1.0 g/L in the woman, 0.25 g/L in the man). The man was known to be stressed and depressed: he cared for his ailing spouse, who was affected by severe cognitive impairment and he had on several occasions expressed a desire to put an end to their misery. The hypotheses of a suicide pact or a double accident were in contrast with the woman's mental state and with the position of the wheelchair, respectively. The manner of death was consistent with a spousal murder-suicide involving a double drowning. Papers reporting similar cases are infrequent in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Simonit
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, p. le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, p. le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Antonio Colatutto
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Laboratorio, Laboratorio Analisi d'Elezione, Presidio Ospedaliero Universitario "Santa Maria della Misericordia", p.le Santa Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Desinan
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, p. le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy
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Zingaretti N, Rampino Cordaro E, Parodi PC, Marega G, Modolo F, Moreschi C, Da Broi U. Determinants of surgeon choice in cases of suspected implant rupture following mastectomy or aesthetic breast surgery: Clinical implications. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e21134. [PMID: 32629748 PMCID: PMC7337419 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000021134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Implant ruptures may be diagnosed by physical examination, ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The absence of standard guidelines to approach to implant ruptures may cause unnecessary surgical revisions in the absence of radiological confirmation of prosthetic damages.The purpose of this study was to analyze the diagnostic procedures applied to patients with suspected prosthetic rupture and surgeon choices to perform a revision or to plan a clinical and radiological follow-up.We conducted a retrospective study on 62 women submitted to revision surgery due to radiological diagnosis of suspected implant rupture, following mastectomy or aesthetic reconstruction, and admitted to a Plastic Surgery Department between 2008 and 2018.Seventy-three implants, believed to be ruptured, were explanted. One-third of these were intact and unnecessarily explanted. US associated with MRI evaluation resulted in the most helpful diagnostical method.A standardized clinical and radiological approach is essential to manage breast implant ruptures successfully. An innovative protocol is proposed in order to: ensure the appropriate management of implant ruptures and prevent unnecessary surgical revisions; reduce the risk of claims for medical malpractice in cases of unsatisfactory final aesthetic results or worse than before.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giulia Marega
- Legal Medicine, Udine University Hospital, Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Francesca Modolo
- Legal Medicine, Udine University Hospital, Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Carlo Moreschi
- Legal Medicine, Udine University Hospital, Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Legal Medicine, Udine University Hospital, Department of Medical Area (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Simonit F, Da Broi U, Furioso C, Desinan L. A burned body with a gunshot wound in the mouth and a suicide note: A complex or complicated suicide? J Forensic Leg Med 2020; 72:101958. [PMID: 32452448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2020.101958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The body of a 53-year-old man was found in a burning car. The ignition key was in start position and the accelerator pedal was held down by his right foot. Autopsy revealed a gunshot entrance wound in the hard palate, a bullet track through the anterior cranial fossa and a projectile lodged in the left frontal lobe. The brain stem was free of lesions and any signs of secondary brain injury, such as brain oedema and intracranial haemorrhage, were not significant. Soot deposits and thermal injury to the mucosa were observed in the airways below the glottis and carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) saturation was 40%. A single bullet case and a handgun were recovered next to the driver's seat. Fire investigators identified the motor as the beginning of the burning: therefore, the conclusion was that the car had caught fire due to overheating of the engine. Differential diagnosis between complex and complicated suicide was essential. The cause of death was identified as carbon monoxide intoxication, and the injuries to the brain were not felt to be immediately fatal. The case has been classified as a complicated suicide. There are no other published cases of a complicated suicide involving exposure to fire or the use of firearms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Simonit
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, p. le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, p. le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Cristina Furioso
- Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), Dipartimento di Prevenzione, Servizi di Medicina Legale, via del Farneto 3, 34142, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Desinan
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università degli Studi di Udine, p. le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
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Simonit F, Da Broi U, Desinan L. The role of self-immolation in complex suicides: A neglected topic in current literature. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 306:110073. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.110073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Moreschi C, Broi UD. [Clinical practice guidelines: juridical and medico legal issues in health care malpractice liability]. Assist Inferm Ric 2016; 33:208-13. [PMID: 25532926 DOI: 10.1702/1702.18560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Clinical Practice Guidelines are clinical tools addressed to medical and health professionals and are normally employed to improve quality and safety of diagnostic and therapeutical procedures but may sometimes limit the autonomy of medical and other health care professionals. The adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines should not be an exclusive step to evaluate the liability and respect of standards of care in case of medico-legal investigations being each clinical case very specific. Medical liability and respect of standards of care should be evaluated with the support of Clinical Practice Guidelines and the extensive examination of all specific features, professional background and experience requested to treat each single patient.
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Moreschi C, Da Broi U, Zamai V, Palese F. Medico legal and epidemiological aspects of femicide in a judicial district of north eastern Italy. J Forensic Leg Med 2016; 39:65-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Broi UD, Moreschi C, Fanzutto A, Pergher G, Gubiani R, Vello M, Cividino SRS. Medico-legal implications of traumatic fatalities related to animal husbandry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.12988/ces.2015.56173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Porzionato A, Macchi V, Da Broi U, Giraudo C, Miotto D, Rodriguez D, Moreschi C, De Caro R. Diffuse pulmonary ossification in permanent vegetative state. Pathol Int 2014; 65:27-32. [PMID: 25406490 DOI: 10.1111/pin.12228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse pulmonary ossification (DPO) is a rare condition characterized by diffuse metaplastic bone formation in the lungs. Two patterns have been described: dendriform, with a coral-like network of bone spiculae along the alveolar septa; and nodular, with lobulated fragments in the alveolar spaces. Dendriform DPO is frequently associated with chronic pulmonary pathologies. We present here the first case of DPO associated with a long-lasting vegetative state. Micro-computed tomography (MicroCT) was applied to analyze the distribution of pulmonary ossification in volumes of lung samples. It showed a mean volume percentage of ossification of 0.79% and 3-D reconstructions permitted to reveal the branching pattern and internal cavities of some ossifications. The occurrence of DPO in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) may be favored by recurrent pulmonary infections, due to aspiration and immunological defects, and respiratory instability, due to brain damage and the fact of being bedridden. Fibrotic reactions probably represent a preliminary step in bone formation. Further studies could examine the incidence and clinical significance of DPO in subjects in PVS or patients who are bedridden for other reasons. MicroCT may facilitate analysis of more case histories, with greater sensitivity with respect to classic microscopic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Porzionato
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Moreschi C, Da Broi U, Rodriguez D, Froldi R, Porzionato A, Macchi V, De Caro R. The Eluana Englaro Case: Cause of death after the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration in a subject in a permanent vegetative state and with quadriplegia. Forensic Sci Int 2013; 231:e24-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Revised: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Moreschi C, Da Broi U, Lanzetta P. Medico-legal implications of traumatic cataract. J Forensic Leg Med 2013; 20:69-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2012.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Moreschi C, Da Broi U. Paradoxical air embolism through patent foramen ovale during consensual intercourse in a non-pregnant young female. J Forensic Leg Med 2009; 16:482-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2009.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2009] [Revised: 04/08/2009] [Accepted: 07/01/2009] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Bertolissi M, Da Broi U. Crit Care 2003; 7:247. [DOI: 10.1186/cc2188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Bertolissi M, Da Broi U, Soldano F, Bassi F. Influence of passive leg elevation on the right ventricular function in anaesthetized coronary patients. Crit Care 2003; 7:164-70. [PMID: 12720563 PMCID: PMC270625 DOI: 10.1186/cc1882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2002] [Revised: 12/16/2002] [Accepted: 01/14/2003] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of the present study was to evaluate the haemodynamic effects of passive leg elevation on the right ventricular function in two groups of patients, one with a normal right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and one with a reduced RVEF. METHODS Twenty coronary patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were studied by a RVEF pulmonary artery catheter. The haemodynamic data reported were collected before the induction of anaesthesia (time point 1), just before (time point 2) and 1 min (time point 3) after the legs were simultaneously raised at 60 degrees, and 1 min after the legs were lowered (time point 4). The patients were divided into two groups: group A, with preinduction RVEF > 45%; and group B, with preinduction RVEF < 40%. RESULTS In group A (n = 10), at time point 3 compared with time point 2, the heart rate significantly decreased (from 75 +/- 10 to 66 +/- 7 beats/min). The right ventricular end diastolic volume index (from 105 +/- 17 to 133 +/- 29 ml/m2), the right ventricular end systolic volume index (from 61 +/- 13 to 77 +/- 24 ml/m2), the systolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient (from 93 +/- 24 to 113 +/- 22 mmHg) and the diastolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient (from 58 +/- 11 to 66 +/- 12 mmHg) significantly increased. Also in group A, the cardiac index did not significantly increase (from 3.28 +/- 0.6 to 3.62 +/- 0.6 l/min/m2), the RVEF was unchanged, and the right ventricular end diastolic volume/pressure ratio (RVED V/P) did not significantly decrease (from 48 +/- 26 to 37 +/- 13 ml/mmHg). In group B (n = 6) at the same time, the heart rate (from 72 +/- 15 to 66 +/- 12 beats/min), the right ventricular end diastolic volume index (from 171 +/- 50 to 142 +/- 32 ml/m2) and the RVED V/P (from 71 +/- 24 to 39 +/- 7 ml/mmHg) significantly decreased. The cardiac index and the diastolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient were unchanged in group B, while the RVEF and the systolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient did not significantly increase, and the right ventricular end-systolic volume index did not significantly decrease. All results are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that passive leg elevation caused a worse condition in the right ventricle of group B because, with stable values of cardiac index, of systolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient and of diastolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient (which supply oxygen), the RVED V/P (to which oxygen consumption is inversely related) markedly decreased. This is as opposed to group A, where the cardiac index, the systolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient and the diastolic systemic arterial/right ventricular pressure gradient increased, and the RVED V/P slightly decreased. Passive leg elevation must therefore be performed cautiously in coronary patients with a reduced RVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Bertolissi
- Second Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera S Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy.
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Bertolissi M, Da Broi U. Interactions between the increase in venous return and right ventricular function. Crit Care 2003. [PMCID: PMC270683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Bertolissi
- Senior Staff Consultant, Second Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera S Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
| | - Ugo Da Broi
- Consultant, Second Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera S Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
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Girardis M, Da Broi U, Antonutto G, Pasetto A. The Effect of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on Cardiovascular Function and Pulmonary Gas Exchange. Anesth Analg 1996. [DOI: 10.1213/00000539-199607000-00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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