Disseminated mucormycosis in an adolescent with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus.

We report a 16-year-old, previously healthy female who presented with disseminated mucormycosis leading to multiorgan failure and death with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis. We review previous reported cases of mucormycosis in children with diabetes to demonstrate that this uncommon invasive infection may cause significant morbidity and mortality in this population.

Anomalous parietal suture mimicking skull fracture.

Anomalous sutures of the parietal bone are exceedingly rare events. We present the case of a child admitted to the hospital after a near-drowning incident who subsequently expired. He was diagnosed with a parietal skull fracture by computed tomography scan before death. This was found to be an anomalous suture by postmortem histologic examination. Division of the parietal bone is an unusual event with anomalous sutures, which can be mistaken for fractures on radiographic or postmortem examination. Although fractures are much more common, it is prudent to evaluate all fractures and/or fracture-like abnormalities by histologic examination when possible to avoid misdiagnosing blunt trauma to the head.

A first time for everything: homicide involving the Brenneke SuperSabot shotgun slug.

Sabot shotgun slugs are not a new projectile, but the Brenneke SuperSabot shotgun slug has never been reported in a homicide. We present the case of a 28-year-old man killed with multiple gunshot wounds during an alleged "drive-by" shooting. At autopsy, a 496.2 grain slightly deformed projectile with a base diameter of 5/8'' (1.7 cm) was found within the decedent's clothing. Six distinct bullet tracks were identified. An entrance of the anterior right thigh was 3/4 x 5/8'' and ovoid, having only passed through the decedent's jeans. This bullet track passed through the soft tissue of the right thigh, exiting out the medial aspect and partially transecting the right greater saphenous vein, re-entering the medial left thigh and re-exiting out the posterior left upper thigh. With the exception of an irregular entrance on the sole of the left foot, which passed through the decedent's shoe, all other entrances were less than 1/2'' in greatest dimension. Investigating officers recovered an additional projectile of the same type, which had undergone more extensive deformation after striking and penetrating the tailgate of a truck. Further investigation identified the projectiles as the Brenneke SuperSabot shotgun slugs.