Cytomegalovirus Colitis and Subsequent New Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in an Immunocompetent Host: A Case Study and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND Infection with gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus in an immunocompetent host is a rather rare occurrence in the literature. There are a few reports of gastrointestinal infection in the immunocompetent who are then subsequently given a new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. It is speculated that the initial cytomegalovirus colitis infection triggers the onset of inflammatory bowel disease. CASE REPORT Herein we report a case of cytomegalovirus colitis and new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease identified in a 40-year-old immunocompetent adult man who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms and disseminated cytomegalovirus infection requiring anti-viral therapy, which successfully treated the episode of cytomegalovirus infection. He then went on to have persistent symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease confirmed by pathology. CONCLUSIONS In this paper we will review the literature and explore the rare case of cytomegalovirus colitis in the immunocompetent host and discuss the pathology, physiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cytomegalovirus colitis.

Blunt thoracic aortic injuries: an autopsy study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the incidence and patterns of thoracic aortic injuries in a series of blunt traumatic deaths and describe their associated injuries. METHODS: All autopsies performed by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner for blunt traumatic deaths in 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had a traumatic thoracic aortic (TTA) injury were compared with the victims who did not have this injury for differences in baseline characteristics and patterns of associated injuries. RESULTS: During the study period, 304 (35%) of 881 fatal victims of blunt trauma received by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner underwent a full autopsy and were included in the analysis. The patients were on average aged 43 years±21 years, 71% were men, and 39% had a positive blood alcohol screen. Motor vehicle collision was the most common mechanism of injury (50%), followed by pedestrian struck by auto (37%). A TTA injury was identified in 102 (34%) of the victims. The most common site of TTA injury was the isthmus and descending thoracic aorta, occurring in 67 fatalities (66% of the patients with TTA injuries). Patients with TTA injuries were significantly more likely to have other associated injuries: cardiac injury (44% vs. 25%, p=0.001), hemothorax (86% vs. 56%, p<0.001), rib fractures (86% vs. 72%, p=0.006), and intra-abdominal injury (74% vs. 49%, p<0.001) compared with patients without TTA injury. Patients with a TTA injury were significantly more likely to die at the scene (80% vs. 63%, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Thoracic aortic injuries occurred in fully one third of blunt traumatic fatalities, with the majority of deaths occurring at the scene. The risk for associated thoracic and intra-abdominal injuries is significantly increased in patients with thoracic aortic injuries.

The choking game: a cause of unintentional strangulation.

A 12-year-old girl was brought to the pediatric emergency department by ambulance after her mother found her hanging from her bunk bed. The patient was resuscitated initially but died 5 days later after support was withdrawn. A sexual assault examination was performed, and the finding was negative. The case was investigated as a possible homicide or suicide. Upon questioning relatives, it was disclosed that the deceased had played the choking game. No one knew she had been playing the game alone. The choking game is popular with adolescents and is particularly dangerous when played alone. Emergency physicians should be aware of the characteristic warning signs that include frequent severe headaches, altered mental status after spending time alone, neck markings, and bloodshot eyes and counsel adolescents about the real risks associated with the activity. Accident, suicide, homicide, autoerotic behavior, and the "choking game" should be considered in the differential when an adolescent presents with evidence of strangulation.

Blunt cardiac trauma: lessons learned from the medical examiner.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze autopsy findings after blunt traumatic deaths to identify the incidence of cardiac injuries and describe the patterns of associated injuries. METHODS: All autopsies performed by the Los Angeles County Forensic Medicine Division for blunt traumatic deaths in 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Only cases that underwent a full autopsy including internal examination were included in the analysis. The study population was divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of a cardiac injury and compared for differences in baseline characteristics and types of associated injuries. RESULTS: Of the 881 fatal victims of blunt trauma received by the Los Angeles County Forensic Medicine Division, 304 (35%) underwent a full autopsy with internal examination and were included in the analysis. The mean age was 43 years +/- 21 years, patients were more often men (71%) and were intoxicated in 39% of the cases. The most common mechanism was motor vehicle collision (50%), followed by pedestrian struck by auto (37%), and 32% had a cardiac injury. Death at the scene was significantly more common in patients with a cardiac injury (78% vs. 65%, p = 0.02). The right chambers were the most frequently injured (30%, right atrium; 27%, right ventricle). Among the 96 patients with cardiac injuries, 64% had transmural rupture. Multiple chambers were ruptured in 26%, the right atrium in 25%, and the right ventricle in 20% of these patients. Patients with cardiac injuries were significantly more likely to have other associated injuries: thoracic aorta (47% vs. 27%, p = 0.001), hemothorax (81% vs. 59%, p < 0.001), rib fractures (91% vs. 71%, p < 0.001), sternum fracture (32% vs. 13%, p < 0.001), and intra-abdominal injury (77% vs. 48%, p < 0.001) compared with patients without cardiac injury. Of the 96 patients with a cardiac injury, 78% died at the scene of the crash and 22% died en route or at the hospital. CONCLUSION: Cardiac injury is a common autopsy finding after blunt traumatic fatalities, with the majority of deaths occurring at the scene. Patients with cardiac injuries are at significantly increased risk for associated thoracic and intra-abdominal injuries.

Investigation of homicides interred in concrete--the Los Angeles experience.

Decedents interred in concrete present unique problems and investigation of these deaths necessitates a team of forensic specialists. The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner has had five such deaths in the past 18 years. The buried cases needed layer-by-layer excavation to establish the time and cause of death. Metal detectors are often used in this process. X-rays of the interred remains were completed to help with locating the decedent's position in the concrete. The breaking of concrete in some of the cases required the use of a sledgehammer and later a chisel in a manner that would not damage the remains. Postmortem dismemberment was frequent in our cases. The decedents were all female or prepubescent children, and the perpetrators were closely related to the decedents. While concrete can interfere with determination of postmortem interval, it can also preserve the remains and assist with identification.