Black esophagus: a rare autopsy case.

The black esophagus is a rare entity of an acute esophageal necrosis described at endoscopy and typical histological properties of a diffuse mucosal necrosis. The presented case was a 17-year-old girl; admitted to the hospital with an abdominal distantion and vomiting, who died soon after admittance. The case was investigated by local prosecutor, as the cause of the death was unknown; a forensic autopsy was mandated and later performed in our department. During autopsy on macroscopic examination an acute esophageal necrosis with black colored esophageal mucosa was detected. In this case report, we aimed to explain the autopsy findings, clinical presentation, histological appearance, risk factors and pathogenesis of the disease from the medico legal point of view (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 5).

Allergic myocardial infarction due to hydatid cyst: an autopsy case.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic tapeworm infestation. Anaphylactic reactions as a result of cyst perforation generally occur after trauma during a spread of cystic fluid in the intravascular space, which may also initiate anaphylaxis. The reported case was a 17-year-old boy who was admitted to the hospital emergency department with a sudden onset of nausea, vomiting and fainting, resulting in death. The cause of his sudden death was unknown. Autopsy macroscopically revealed hydatid cysts in the liver. In the histopathological examination, hydatid cyst was recognized by scolices and also an inflammatory infiltration composed mainly of mast cells in the myocardium was detected. Sudden death in this case was attributed to allergic myocardial infarction due to intravascular spread of the hydatid cyst content (Fig. 2, Ref. 10).

Blast injury: lessons learned from an autopsy.

Blast injury is becoming more common in the non-military population but it is still rare to see such injuries and deaths unrelated to terrorist acts. The exact mechanisms involved in blast injuries are unclear. Civilian physicians and surgeons need to have a basic understanding of the patho-mechanics and physiological effects of blast injuries. We report a case where a 31-year-old male accidentally detonated a diesel storage tank. His autopsy findings provide useful information for those who investigate explosive-related deaths.

An unusual cause of sudden death: cardiac myxoma.

Primary tumors of the heart are rare; the most common cardiac tumor is atrial myxoma. Sudden death may occur in patients with atrial myxoma, tumor embolization, or obstruction of blood flow at the mitral or tricuspid valve. This report describes an unusual cause of sudden death and the autopsy findings for a 73-year-old man with left atrial myxoma.

Sudden death due to single coronary artery.

Coronary artery anomalies that entail a risk of sudden death are frequently associated with complex cardiac malformations but may occasionally be solitary. A 31-year-old man became ill in the night and lost consciousness. He was taken to a hospital where he was treated. However, he died on the same day. The death was considered to be suspicious and an autopsy was mandated. On macroscopic examination, the heart weighed 410 g. A single coronary artery that originated from the right aortic sinus was found. The coronary artery ostium was 0.8 cm in diameter and had a hole-like shape. Demonstration of coronary artery pathologies in autopsies is vital for the elucidation of sudden death cases related to these lesions and for the development of new treatment approaches. The aims of this case report are to contribute to a better understanding of the coronary artery anomalies and emphasise their medicolegal importance.

Sudden death related to anomalous origin of coronary artery and coexisting fenestrated membrane of the sinus coronarius.

Coronary artery anomalies that may be an isolated defect or part of complex congenital malformations of the heart are also often associated with a high risk of sudden death. A 19-year-old woman lost consciousness in the night. She was taken to hospital where she was treated. However, she died on the same day. The prosecutor considered the death suspicious, and the victim was taken to the morgue department for further examination and autopsy. On macroscopical examination, both coronary arteries originated from the left aortic sinus with the left one being dominant. The orifice of the sinus coronarius in the right atria was covered with a fenestrated membrane. Demonstration of coronary artery pathologies and associated anomalies in autopsies is vital for the elucidation of sudden death cases related to these lesions and for the development of new treatment approaches. The purposes of this case report are to characterise and identify markers of the coronary artery anomalies and to highlight their medicolegal importance in sudden death cases.

Suicidal electrocution using a homemade electrocution device.

Electrocutions deaths are mostly accidental, suicidal electrocutions are rarely reported. The records of Forensic Medicine Council of Turkey Bursa Morgue Department reveal second case of suicidal electrocution during the past 20 years. The presented case was a 61 year old man, found by his wife at his home bedroom, using a homemade suicidal electrocution device with bare copper wires. The mechanism of death and autopsy findings in suicidal electrocution is discussed.

Medical experience of a university hospital in Turkey after the 1999 Marmara earthquake.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide an overview of morbidity and mortality among patients admitted to the Hospital of the Medicine Faculty of Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey, after the 1999 Marmara earthquake. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 645 earthquake victims. Patients' demographic data, diagnosis, dispositions, and prognosis were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 330 patients with earthquake related injuries and illness admitted to our hospital were included and divided into three main groups: crush syndrome (n = 110), vital organ injuries (n = 57), and non-traumatic but earthquake related illness (n = 55). Seventy seven per cent of patients were hospitalised during the first three days after the earthquake. The rate of mortality associated with the crush syndrome, vital organ injury, and non-traumatic medical problems was 21% (23/110), 17.5% (10/57), and 9% (5/55), respectively. The overall mortality rate was 8% (50/645). CONCLUSIONS: In the first 24-48 hours after a major earthquake, hospital emergency departments are flooded with large numbers of patients. Among this patient load, those patients with crush syndrome or vital organ injuries are particularly at risk. Proper triage and prompt treatment of these seriously injured earthquake victims may decrease morbidity and mortality. It is hoped that this review of the challenges met after the Marmara earthquake and the lessons learned will be of use to emergency department physicians as well as hospital emergency planners in preparing for future natural disasters.