ABSTRACT
We present a unique case of death due to the assault and bites of a donkey on a 65-year-old man. The farmer, found dead in his farmyard, had a very deep wound in the anterior region of the neck, with a sharp transection of the trachea and severe bleeding by several minor vessels wall disruptions. The cause of death was established to be massive bleeding combined with asphyxia due to aspiration of the blood. Moreover, multiple contusions with associated skin abrasions and perforations were present. The general impression of the injuries was consistent with an animal's bite marks. Herbivorous or omnivorous bite attacks on humans are rare; instead, these animals attack by kicking, trampling, and kneeling, resulting in secondary blunt injuries. The donkey is usually a docile animal, but its behavior can be aggressive during the mating season, and the possibility of biting should not be underestimated, as illustrated by the 2 cases published previously as well as by the case presented here.
Subject(s)
Asphyxia/etiology , Bites and Stings/complications , Equidae , Exsanguination/etiology , Neck Injuries/etiology , Aged , Animals , Asphyxia/pathology , Bites and Stings/pathology , Exsanguination/pathology , Forensic Pathology , Humans , Male , Neck Injuries/pathology , Respiratory Aspiration/etiology , Respiratory Aspiration/pathology , Trachea/injuries , Trachea/pathologyABSTRACT
We describe a death in a hospital wardrobe of a 40-year-old male suffering from HIV infection and lobar pneumonia. On the basis of circumstantial evidence and autopsy findings we conclude that the cause of death was asphyxia in a confined space as a result of several pathomechanical factors. As well as establishing the cause and manner of death, the interpretation of the case involves the evaluation of the professional responsibility of the medical personnel. This report discusses different aspects concerning the cause, mechanism, and manner of death and illustrates various problems encountered in forensic pathology.
Subject(s)
Asphyxia/mortality , Confined Spaces , Adult , Autopsy , Humans , Inpatients , Italy , MaleSubject(s)
Diagnostic Errors/prevention & control , Mandatory Reporting , Shaken Baby Syndrome/diagnosis , Humans , Infant , ItalyABSTRACT
Adrenal tumours are frequently incidental discoveries, and their therapy is a subject of controversial discussions. Herein we describe two cases of adrenal schwannoma discovered during autopsy. The accidental observation of two benign schwannomas of the adrenal gland on asymptomatic patients led to the hypothesis that the real frequency of this type of lesion was underestimated. Furthermore, the adrenal origin of the superior retro-peritoneum schwannomas represents a diagnostic hypothesis to be considered when the original structure of the neoplasia can't be established.
Subject(s)
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/pathology , Neurilemmoma/pathology , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/metabolism , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Autopsy , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Incidental Findings , Male , Neurilemmoma/metabolismABSTRACT
We report a rare case of sudden death due to cardiac tamponade following intrapericardial rupture of a main pulmonary artery dissecting aneurysm. On pathology examination, the pulmonary artery showed an intimal tear in an arterial wall area with reduced thickness. However, no degenerative, inflammatory or necrotic processes were evident within the vessel wall. Hypertrophy of the wall of vasa vasorum in the adventitia of the pulmonary artery was found, as well as bilaterally diffuse myointimal arterial hyperplasia of the lung vasculature. According to these findings, we conclude that pulmonary artery rupture occurred in a patient with chronic unrecognized primary pulmonary hypertension.
