Pathology of myocardial fatty infiltration: an autopsy report from 117 cases / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the risk factors related to the formation of myocardial fatty infiltration and possible pathological consequences.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The macroscopic and microscopic findings in 117 autopsy cases with myocardial fatty infiltration were examined during October, 2001 to June, 2009.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant positive correlation between the macroscopic grading of subepicardial adipose tissue and the microscopic myocardial fatty infiltrative degree(r(s) = 0.57, P < 0.01) but there was no correlations between the myocardial fatty infiltrative degree and age as well as coronary arteriosclerosis (all P > 0.05). The percent of myocardial atrophy was 39.32% (46/117), and the rate of myocardial atrophy in mild myocardial fatty infiltration group (13/63, 20.63%) was significantly lower than that in moderate myocardial fatty infiltration group (22/39, 34.92%; chi(2) = 12.14, P < 0.01) and in severe myocardial fatty infiltration group (11/15, 73.33%; chi(2) = 13.42, P < 0.01). There were 28 sudden cardiac deaths among the 117 cases including 6 deaths due to myocardial fatty infiltration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Myocardial fatty infiltration is often associated with myocardial atrophy, even with sudden cardiac death but is not an accompanying pathologic changes of aging and coronary arteriosclerosis.</p>

Pathology of accidental electrocution: an autopsy study of 16 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the pathologic findings seen in lethal cases due to accidental electrocution.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The macroscopic and microscopic findings in 16 autopsy cases died of electrocution encountered during the period from January, 2001 to July, 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Typical electric marks were found on gross examination in 5 of the 16 cases studied. Histologically, 11 of the 16 cases showed evidence of electric burn. The morphologic features of atypical electric marks varied. Simple epidermal exfoliation and color changes were relatively common. Pathologic changes in internal viscera included disarray of myocardial fibers. Rupture of myocardial fibers was readily identified than in non-electrocution death. Sometimes, focal interstitial hemorrhage and polarization of endothelial cells were seen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The electric marks on the skin, as confirmed by histologic examination, remain important sequelae of electrocution. The pathologic changes seen in myocardium provide additional clues to the diagnosis.</p>

Histopathological characterization of drug-related death / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the histopathological changes in drug-related death cases in order to provide valuable information for its diagnosis.@*METHODS@#Thirty cases of drug-related death were collected for systemic autopsy and histopathology examination. Ante mortem history and other informations of each case were also reviewed and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Injection marks, emaciation, asphyxia and histopathological changes in critical organs and tissues correlated with addiction behavior. In the 30 cases, 20% died of diseases, 33.3% acute drug intoxication, 26.7% quitting drug, 10% sudden death, and 10% outside violence.@*CONCLUSION@#Systemic autopsy and histopathology examination in drug-related death are useful for determination of the cause of death in these cases.