Fatal stings: Autopsy findings in scorpion envenomation.

Scorpion envenomation represents one of the common clinical emergencies in various parts of India. There is considerable literature regarding clinical manifestations and management protocols; however only a few studies are available dealing with autopsy findings. One of the reasons is that mortality is not very high in scorpion envenomation as compared to snakebite envenomation. The present study describes autopsy findings derived from five cases that were autopsied during a five year period. Common site for scorpion sting appears to be some peripheral part of the body, and the sting mark is usually one in number. In the present series, toxic myocarditis was suspected in 3 cases, while one person manifested cardiogenic shock, and the other had respiratory distress syndrome with multiorgan failure. At autopsy, pulmonary oedema was noted in all the cases, and a state of circulatory failure in 3 cases. Correlation of gross and microscopic findings suggest that a state of shock occurs, resulting in circulatory failure and subsequent multiorgan failure.

Pregnancy-related deaths: A three-year retrospective study.

Over 600000 maternal deaths occur each year worldwide. In India, many women die due to pregnancy-related complications. The present study was undertaken with a view to determine factors causing maternal deaths, to recognize cause of death and to discuss the utility of autopsy record as a useful and adjunct data source for ascertainment of maternal deaths. A total 21 pregnancy-related deaths occurring during 2004 to 2006 were studied and their age ranged from 21 year to 35 year. It was observed that maximum numbers of deaths were recorded in the age group of 21-25 years (52.38%). Analyzing the pregnancy outcome, live birth to child were given by 9 females and 1 died during abortion. Hemorrhage remains leading cause of death (38.09%) followed by indirect causes (23.80%), undetermined (19.04%), sepsis (9.52%) and postpartum pre-eclamptic shock (9.52%). Death records remain an important source of maternal deaths however, using only death certificate suffers from drawback because many times cause of death is not mentioned, especially if death incurred medicolegal autopsy. Under such circumstances review of autopsy reports may prove useful in the ascertainment of maternal deaths and elucidating the emerging trends.

Electrocution: A six-year study of electrical fatalities.

A six-year study, from January 2001 to December 2006, was undertaken in an attempt to study the pattern of electrical injuries, the cause of death, manner of death and the importance of histopathological examination. The study was comprised of 86 cases brought with history of electrocution, consisting of 69 men and 17 women. Their age ranged from [3] year to [65] year. We had found 97.67% cases of accidental death and 2.32% cases of homicides. Accidental death was more common in age group 21 to 30 years. Of all cases, 45.34% cases were of electric contact, 31.39% cases were of contact and heat and 9.30% cases were of flash burns. In [6] cases no electric mark could be identified. With reference to occupation, 20.93% of deaths occurred in labor class. Considering the histopathological changes, nuclear streaming, dermo-epidermal separation and coagulative necrosis were amongst the commonest lesions.