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

ABSTRACT

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.