[Sudden death due to eosinophilic arteritis of a major coronary artery].

Coronary arteritis is the fourth most common cause of fatal cardiac disease, after coronary atheroscLerosis, congenital anomalies and coronary dissection. Eosinophilic inflammation of the coronary arteries is extremely rare, involves the major coronaries and occurs as an isolated disease or as part of Churg-Strauss syndrome or Wegener's granulomatosis with involvement of other internal organs. A case of sudden and unexpected death of a healthy young woman is presented. Autopsy revealed eosinophilic inflammation of Left coronary artery with thrombosis of the lumen, causing a fatal cardiac failure. No other pathology was detected. We discuss the importance of performing a full autopsy, including microscopic inspection of the tissues, in order to glean the cause of death and learn about new and rare pathologies.

Infantile asphyxia due to aberrant uvula--an anatomic misadventure.

A case of unexpected death of an infant with an abnormally elongated uvula is presented. The child, born prematurely, was recovering from protracted treatment in hospital, including surgical interventions and periods of ventilation support necessitating recurrent intubations and anesthesia. She was discharged home in good general health, affected by episodes of cough, and was found dead in her crib a week later. The proximity of the aberrant uvula to the vocal cords may have caused intermittent laryngospasm, with subsequent symptoms of cough and airway obstruction, ending in a fatal outcome. Recurrent airway irritation may have contributed to uvular hypertrophy, due to inflammatory and reactive changes. It is pertinent for the pathologist to thoroughly examine the structures of the pharynx, and the uvula in particular, in any case of pediatric death suspected to result from asphyxia or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Suicide in Israel: 1985-1997.

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in suicide rates in Israel over a 13-year period. METHOD: All cases of autopsy-confirmed suicide in Israel from 1985 to 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: An overall annual increase in suicide rates, with rates in men 3 times higher than those in women, was observed. Suicide rates were highest in the second and third decades of life. Unlike Western countries where gunshot wounds are the most common method of suicide for men and poisoning is most common for women, asphyxiation by hanging was the most common method used by men in Israel, followed by firearm wounds and jumping from heights. In women, however, jumping from heights was the most common method, followed by hanging and poisoning. CONCLUSION: Increasing rates of suicide may be associated with waves of immigration to Israel, increased substance abuse and depression and the political and social climate. Further study to examine the precipitating factors is warranted.