A case of complete decapitation in suicidal hanging : the mechanism and condition of decapitation.

Complete decapitation due to suicide by hanging is rare. We report the case of a decapitated man who was found in the sea near an estuary. A polyethylene rope was tied to the handrail of the bridge across a strait near the site of the body. The rope was 12 mm in diameter and 19 m in length from the handrail. It ended with a slip knot noose, and skin and mustache-like hair fragments were attached to it. The decapitated head was not found. The deceased weighed 82 kg and was 152 cm long without the head. The autopsy revealed coarse abrasions and intramuscular hemorrhage around the severed edge. The third cervical spine was not fractured. We reviewed the literature and suggested the conditions of body weight, fall height, rope diameter, and number of rolls in cases of decapitation by hanging. We calculated the hanging decapitation index (HDI) as the fall height (m) multiplied by the body weight (kg), divided by the rope diameter (mm), divided by the number of rolls ; and discussed the differences between complete and incomplete decapitation cases. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 290-293, February, 2023.

A case of fatal multi-organ inflammation following COVID-19 vaccination.

A 14-year-old Japanese girl died unexpectedly 2 days after receiving the third dose of the BNT1262b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Autopsy findings showed congestive edema of the lungs, T-cell lymphocytic and macrophage infiltration in the lungs, pericardium, and myocardium of the left atria and left ventricle, liver, kidneys, stomach, duodenum, bladder, and diaphragm. Since there was no preceding infection, allergy, or drug toxicity exposure, the patient was diagnosed with post-vaccination pneumonia, myopericarditis, hepatitis, nephritis, gastroenteritis, cystitis, and myositis. Although neither type of inflammation is fatal by itself, arrhythmia is reported to be the most common cause of death in patients with atrial myopericarditis. In the present case, arrhythmia of atrial origin was assumed as the cause of cardiac failure and death. In sudden post-vaccination deaths, aggressive autopsy systemic search and histological examination involving extensive sectioning of the heart, including the atrium, are indispensable.

An infant autopsy case of bowel obstruction due to internal abdominal hernia.

Internal abdominal hernia, defined as protrusion of viscera through a defect of the mesentery, has been considered a rare clinical entity. Recent clinical reviews reported a wide range of onset age (from newborns to the elderly) and symptoms (from minimal abdominal symptoms to severe acute abdomen). Sudden and unexpected death due to internal abdominal hernia is rare in infants or toddlers, and only 4 autopsy cases had been reported previously. We report the case of a 3-month-old Japanese boy who unexpectedly died 4 h after first vomiting. Autopsy showed a wide bowel obstruction with necrosis through a congenital mesenteric defect. The larynx was filled with gastric content (milky white viscous muddy material). In the cross section of both lungs, the same material was found to be expressed from the bronchioles. We diagnosed the cause of death as asphyxiation by viscous milk/vomitus aspiration caused by bowel obstruction due to an internal abdominal hernia. In case of sudden and unexpected death of an infant, autopsy is crucial to determine the cause of death. During autopsy, it is helpful to determine the character and distribution of gastric and airway contents to confirm milk or vomitus aspiration.

Sudden cardiac death during first-time jogging.

With increased interest in fitness and health care, jogging has become more popular as an exercise to promote health. However, sudden cardiac death during sports or exercise has also been reported. Some apparently healthy elderly individuals take up sports for both recreation and health improvement based only on completion of a questionnaire, without undergoing medical evaluation. We report the case of a 66-year-old Japanese man who suddenly died of acute ischemic heart disease during first-time jogging. He collapsed an hour after starting. A trainer promptly started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was applied, and defibrillation was attempted once by bystanders. However, he remained in cardiopulmonary arrest until he reached the emergency department, where he was pronounced dead. The autopsy found concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall without fibrosis or degeneration, atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries, and severe lung congestion. We diagnosed death from acute myocardial ischemia. We suspect that many healthy elderly individuals have provoked a heart attack by prematurely attempting moderate or vigorous exercise, as in this case. The elderly require comprehensive medical assessment before exercise can be started. Moreover, this case shows that an AED is not always helpful. J. Med. Invest. 64: 184-186, February, 2017.

N-terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide Level as a Prognostic Predictor in Elderly Patients in a Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward.

OBJECTIVE: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) levels were investigated to predict outcomes for elderly patients in a convalescent rehabilitation ward. METHODS: The study included 75 patients aged at least 75 years who were admitted to the convalescent rehabilitation ward of Naruto-Yamakami Hospital. Based on NTproBNP levels on admission, the patients were divided into those with NTproBNP levels ≥400 pg/ml (Group A) and those with NTproBNP levels <400 pg/ml (Group B). Patients were also divided into three groups according to their outcomes: Group I, death-related discharge or emergency transfer; Group II, home discharge; and Group III, medical/nursing care continuation. Group A patients were further divided, according to the time course of NTproBNP levels, into Group A-I (levels increased) and A-II (levels unchanged/decreased). The correlation coefficients between outcomes and each measurement index were determined, and discriminant analysis was performed among the groups. RESULTS: The NTproBNP level on hospitalization was significantly higher in Group I than in Groups II and III. There were significantly more death-related discharges and emergency transfers in Group A than in Group B and in Group A-I than in Group A-II. In discriminant analysis, assuming the outcome to be a dependent variable in Group A-I and Group A-II, the canonical correlation was 0.81 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest that NTproBNP levels are useful for predicting patient outcomes.

[Clinical analysis of pediatric shunt catheter fracture].

Between 1985 and 1998, 415 shunt dysfunctions occurred at Kobe Children's Hospital. The main reasons for shunt revision were obstruction of the catheter, shunt infection, and shunt disconnection. This report presents an analysis of 35 patients (36 cases) who underwent a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt revision because of shunt catheter fracture. All patients were less than 18 years old. We researched their age at the time of revision, site of disruption, postoperative period, shunt system, clinical symptoms, and other factors. The mechanical aspects of shunt catheter fracture are also discussed in this report. The peak time of shunt catheter fracture was the time when children were growing up and were entering elementary school. In other words, when their height was increasing rapidly. At that time, the distal catheter is subjected to traction between the valve and the abdomen at the site of insertion in either the upper or lower direction. However, physical examination of the shunt catheter showed normal range. Additional contributory factors were chronic stimulation at the occipital bone, clavium bone, and costal arch, while movement of the neck and body rotation also caused shunt catheter fracture. These factors all originated from shearing strain at the shunt catheter. We look forward to the introduction of a stronger shunt catheter, because surgical repair time must be minimized to protect the child's mental development. In addition, shearing strain at the shunt catheter needs special attention.