Sudden Death by Spontaneous Epiglottic Hematoma Secondary to High Blood Levels of Warfarin.
J Forensic Sci
; 62(4): 1094-1096, 2017 Jul.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28567968
ABSTRACT
A 67-year-old man was found dead, at his home. On external examination, we found a voluminous purplish black ecchymosis of the anterior neck area. On internal examination, we found a voluminous epiglottis hematoma completely obstructing the upper airway. It was associated with other sites of intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Toxicological studies revealed the presence of warfarin at a concentration of 8.4 mg/L in peripheral blood, which supposes an INR well above 4.5. To conclude, we supposed death was due to asphyxia secondary to a spontaneous epiglottic hematoma caused by a high blood concentration of warfarin. Hemorrhage in the epiglottis is very rare. To our knowledge, our patient is the only case of "sudden death" reported with spontaneous epiglottic hematoma due to high blood concentration of warfarin. In forensic practice, an anterior neck ecchymosis, without trauma, may suggest hemorrhage into soft airway tissues. Pathology findings make it possible to exclude exogenous trauma.
Mots clés
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Warfarine
/
Maladies du larynx
/
Mort subite
/
Hématome
/
Anticoagulants
Type d'étude:
Etiology_studies
Limites:
Aged
/
Humans
/
Male
Langue:
En
Journal:
J Forensic Sci
Année:
2017
Type de document:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
France