Situs inversus vis-à-vis sudden death.

ABSTRACT

Situs Inversus, a rare congenital anatomical abnormality although is not directly related to Sudden Death. However, 3-5% of people with Situs Inversus have associated functional heart defect & 25% have an underlying condition i.e. Primary Ciliary Dyskinesis presenting as Kartagener's Syndrome; are prone to Sudden Death. Two cases of Situs Inversus on which medico-legal autopsy was conducted are reported. In first case, death was attributed to cardiac component (massive cardiomegaly, narrowing of coronaries and an old, healed apical scar) and in the second, due to respiratory complications (infection of lungs with areas of pus formation) with Blood Alcohol Concentration as 241.50 mg % ; being another significant finding. Apart from discussing the various aspects of the condition, vital medico-legal issues varying from 'Negligence' to 'Assessment for Insurance purpose' are being discussed.