Traumatic asphyxia: An autopsy case.

Traumatic asphyxia is a form of asphyxia where respiration is prevented by external pressure on the body. A 19-year-old man was found by relatives compressed by motorboat in the garage. The death was investigated by the prosecutor; body was taken to the Morgue Department for performing autopsy. On gross physical examination; the face, neck and upper part of the chest were congested and many petechiae were observed on the conjunctivae, but not in low extremities. Autopsy macroscopic examination of lungs revealed congestion, sub pleural superficial bleeding areas. In the presented case death was reported as traumatic asphyxia by thorax compression without other lethal factors.

Death due to coronary artery anomaly with coexistence of Chiari network.

Coronary artery anomalies rarely detected in autopsy series and angiograms can be a component of complex malformations, besides, can be also associated with sudden cardiac death. Presented case was 22-year-old male, who had suddenly fainted during a football match played on artificial turf, he was transferred into the hospital, however had died during intensive care therapy. He had been evaluated by local prosecutor, and sent to our center for autopsy. At autopsy, internal macroscopic examination revealed absence of the right coronary artery. A total of two coronary artery ostia were observed. One of them originated from the left aortic sinus, and the other one stemmed from 8 mm above the sinotubular line. Besides, Chiari network formation was seen in the right atrium. This case with coronary artery anomaly associated with formation of Chiari network was discussed from the perspective of forensic medicine in the light of the literature information.

The postman always rings twice: two cases of shotgun deaths associated with an unconventional home security alarm system.

Injury and death cases caused by booby traps are not common in forensic medicine practice. Besides, installation of booby traps including firearms is generally for suicidal and rarely for homicidal purposes. Although few patents were described about home security alarm system that were created by firearms in the United States, 1 sample of injury with a similar unconventional mechanism of home safety system was reported by Asirdizer and Yavuz in 2009. In the published case report, the story of an electrical technician who was invited to a summer house by the homeowner to check the home security alarm system was reported. In the so-called report, he was stated to be injured by the shotgun attached to the unconventional home security alarm system while checking the system. As a result, the homeowner was convicted of a possible intent to cause a life-threatening injury to the technician.The so-called homeowner and his wife died by the same shotgun attached to the same unconventional home security alarm system 4 years on from the first event. In the present case report, we have aimed to present the findings of the crime scene and the autopsies of these unusual 2 deaths and to discuss individual and legal factors in paving the way for the deaths of 2 people.

Death due to perforation of solitary rectal ulcer: case report.

UNLABELLED: Presented case was 57-year-old male reported to be found dead in the watchman cabin in his workplace. At the autopsy, in abdominal cavity dirty green-brown colored fluid with a few particles of intestinal contents and yellow-green colored membranes on abdominal organs were observed, on the anterior wall of the rectum, 2x1.5 cm size perforation area was observed. We aimed to present the rare case of solitary rectal ulcer perforation. KEYWORDS: solitary rectal ulcer - death - autopsy.

Medicolegal aspects of atypical firearm injuries: a case report.

Our case was a twenty year-old man, who was injured during the military duty with G3 infantry rifle in the training area. An atypical firearm entry wound on the left side of sternum which was 4.5 cm in diameter, and was surrounded by six irregular skin burn wounds by a flash-suppressor and a 0.7 cm diameter firearm exit wound at space on the left midscapular line. Our case emphasizes that the interpretation of properties of these atypical firearm entry wounds need to be carefully assessed by physicians.

Fibrous pleural plaques detected at autopsy.

The reported case was a 84-year-old male, dead after a traffic accident. The death was considered to be suspicious by prosecutor and an autopsy was mandated. In macroscopic autopsy investigation left tibia, fibula and multiple rib fractures, widespread seborrheic keratoses, and hyperpigmented skin lesions were detected. In the left chest cavity blood content and white colored lesions spread on the left parietal pleura and chest surface of the thoracic diaphragm were observed. The histological examination of the pleural lesions revealed fibrotic hyalinized structures with calcified foci. Investigation of pleural plaques in forensic autopsy is important for scientific classification of this interesting entity.

Death due to combined intake of ethanol and toluene: a case report.

Toluene is a commonly used volatile organic chemical in industry and is the most often chosen illicit substance among volatile substance abusers. Studies involving healthy volunteers suggest that ethanol consumption inhibits toluene metabolism, thus increasing its blood levels. In this study, a lethal case of combined ethanol consumption and toluene inhalation has been reported. Our case was a 30-year-old male who had used volatile substance for 15 years. The autopsy revealed no abnormal findings. Toxicological analysis revealed alcohol and toluene in the blood and the cause of death was considered as toxicity due to acute combined intake of alcohol and toluene. Lethal combined ethanol and toluene intake is rarely reported in the literature. Experimental studies indicate that toluene increases the risk of ethanol dependence and each substance increases the toxic effects of the other.

Amyand's hernia in forensic autopsy: case report and review of the literature.

The presence of vermiform appendix in inguinal hernia is rare and is known as Amyand's hernia. Reported case was 73 years old man admitted to the hospital with chest pain who dead soon after admittance in the emergency department of the university hospital. In the macroscopic autopsy investigation, after opening the hernial sac, the vermiform appendix and caecum were detected free, without adhesions in the hernial sac. Death was reported due to acute myocardial infarction. Investigation of this rare entity in forensic autopsy is important for scientific classification, description and also correct pre-postoperative management and appropriate surgery.

Vertebral artery aneurysm rupture: an autopsy case.

Vertebral artery aneurysm rupture is a rare cause of sudden death. The presented case was 31-year-old woman who was found dead in her bedroom. Family members stated that she had history of one year duration childhood epilepsy treatment. Autopsy investigation revealed 5 mm in diameter aneurysm, ruptured in 1 mm area, localized on the trunk of the right vertebral artery. We described an autopsy case of sudden unexpected death due to ruptured vertebral artery aneurysm.

Death due to traumatic tracheo-brachiocephalic artery fistula: an autopsy case.

Tracheo-brachiocephalic artery fistulas were rarely reported lesions often described in cases with tracheostomy procedures. Reported case was 26 year-old male drainage worker, trapped under the stony soil while excavating drainage canal. Rescue operation was performed, but he was reached dead. Provincial prosecutor mandated autopsy after crime scene investigation. Autopsy examination revealed traumatically formed tracheo-brachiocephalic fistula. We aimed to report an intersting case of traumatic tracheo-brachiocephalic artery fistula identified in forensic autopsy.

Aortic arch blunt injury in front-seat passenger.

Aortic arch blunt injury has highly lethal nature. Because the physical examination findings are subtle, immediate medical evaluation is very important. The case was a 72-year-old woman. Massive haemorrhage in the left haemotorax, contusion area in the left lung and a traumatic transection of the distal aortic arch was observed during autopsy. We described intersting autopsy case of aortic arch blunt injury.

Uncommon Presentation of Meckel's Diverticulum in Young Age.

Meckel's diverticulum is a rare detected anomaly.We present the case of a 13 months old male toddler dead shortly after he was admitted to the hospital. On internal autopsy examination abdominal dissection cream-brown fluid in abdomen was observed. In the ileum, 45 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve, 1 cm in diameter perforation area was detected, ongoing dissection revealed diverticular, pouch like structure, Meckel's diverticulum. We presented perforated Meckel's diverticulum detected at autopsy.

Death due to Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia: A case report.

UNLABELLED: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is both a myocardial disease that predominantly affects the right ventricle (RV) and one of the major causes of sudden death in the young and athletes. A 28-year-old man with no signicant medical history, applied to an emergency department with feeling very ill. After his initial examinations, electrocardiography (ECG) showed ventricular extra systoles and he was recommended for admission to a cardiology polyclinic. The next day, his condition worsened and he was dead on arrival at the hospital. A histological examination of heart samples, which were obtained from the RV and LV, revealed the massive replacement of myocardium by fibrous and mature adipose tissue in the RV. In this case, there were no symptoms, family and medical history and its clinical presentation was as an unexpected sudden death. KEYWORDS: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, sudden cardiac death, autopsy.

Sudden death due to high take-off right coronary artery.

UNLABELLED: Reported case was 46-year-old woman found dead at the forest park rest area. Autopsy examination revealed grossly but normal in appearance heart weighed 400 gr. The orifice of right coronary artery round in shape was situated in the ascending aorta; 17 mm above the sinotubular junction, there was a high take-off coronary artery with ectopic localization. Dissection of the artery confirmed that the proximal segment of the right coronary artery passed between the aorta and pulmonary artery, with acute, oblique down-ward angulation. We aimed to present the rare coronary anomaly and discuss the case from medico legal aspect. KEYWORDS: Sudden cardiac death - coronary artery - high take-off - ectopic - autopsy.

Differences in the number of autopsies and causes of death between the months of Ramadan and control months and between two cities, Ankara and Bursa in Turkey.

AIM: To investigate differences in the number of autopsies and causes of deaths affected by spiritual factors and concentration during Ramadan and to compare the results from two cities, Ankara and Bursa. METHODS: Autopsies performed in morgue departments of the Council of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, in Ankara and Bursa during Ramadan and non-Ramadan (control) months between 2003 and 2006 were retrospectively investigated for age, sex, cause of death, manner of death and blood toxicological analyses. RESULTS: The number of autopsies was significantly higher in Ramadan months than in the control months in Bursa, but low and insignificant in Ankara. A significant decline in traumatic deaths was observed during Ramadan (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSION: During Ramadan, while rates of homicidal deaths displayed a relatively steep decline in females, the rates of homicide were increased in males. This might be due to a decrease in natural deaths and accidents. To make further comments, conducting studies evaluating detailed socio-demographic features and assessing relevant psychological states of the victims can be beneficial.

Scuba diver deaths due to air embolism: two case reports.

Barotraumas and decompression sickness are the two most well-known complications of diving. First presented case was 32 year-old male with recreational diver, who was found floating prone position on the bottom of sea in a depth of 33 m. He had been carried to the surface in a controlled ascent. Second case was a 39 year-old male experienced dive instructor in a diving school, after following an uneventful duration of dive was found unconscious with a floating supine position in a depth of 30 m and there were no signs of life when they were transported to the hospital. Extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the extremities was detected by palpation of the skin. In the autopsy diffuse gas bubbles like beads were seen in the coronary arteries and in ventricles, basilar artery and all of the cerebral arteries. The cause of death was attributed due to gas embolism and drowning.

An unusual case of penetrating intracranial injury due to scissors.

Craniocerebral penetrating non-missile injuries caused by metallic foreign bodies are uncommon events. Healthy 10 year-old boy applied to the hospital emergency service with his parents. Family members stated that the scissors have been stalled his head accidentally by his sister when they had played together. During physical examination the scissors located on left parietal region of the head was examined. There was no loss of consciousness and oriented with normal vital signs. Radiological investigation demonstrated a hyper dense foreign body (scissors) penetrating cranial cavity and ended before reaching posterior region of the left parietal lobe. To our knowledge, the presented was rare case of intracranial penetrating scissor, which was not removed until, injured, reached the hospital. Our goal was to discuss the rare case of penetrating non-missile foreign body cranial injury from medico legal aspect.

An unusual case of firearm injury: bullet lodged in the tongue.

Firearm-related injuries are a major problem worldwide, in forensic medicine practice. and unusual presentation of bullet trajectory can create surgical or medico-legal diagnostic problems. A 23-year-old man suffered two gunshot wounds, was taken to emergency department immediately after the incident. Physical examination revealed two entrance gunshot wounds on the left lumbar region under the lower margin of left scapulae and right gluteal region. An exit wound was defined on the lateral side of the right gluteal region which was located 5 cm distance of entrance wound. Radiological investigation showed a bullet in the tongue without any life threatening impairment. A thoracic CT scan and abdominal USG were normal. Following the initial examinations he was hospitalized and the bullet removed from the tongue by a simple surgical operation. An interesting case of gunshot injury where the passage route of bullet extending along from upper posterior part of the left lumbar region to the tongue without vital organ injury or serious disability has been reported.

Delayed spleen rupture after blunt abdominal trauma (case report).

The aim of the article was to present and discuss the phenomenon of delayed fatal spleen rupture case. A 13-year-old boy was referred to hospital because of his poor general condition, convulsions, tachypnea, shallow breathing, severe paleness, abdominal tenderness, decrease in blood pressure, low blood hemoglobin levels, leukocytosis. Abdominal pain complaints began second day night, after abdominal trauma during soccer game with classmates. Autopsy macroscopic examination revealed coagulated blood in abdominal cavity and large perisplenic haematama. Spleen with a big subcapsular and intrasplenic hematoma was observed on dissection. It is concluded that early diagnosis is the most important measure to reduce mortality. In terms of autopsy examination, proper investigation during forensic autopsy will contribute in understanding the pathophysiology of this phenomenon.

Bilateral long styloid process detected at autopsy (case report).

The aim of the article was to reveal the significance of prolonged styloid process detected at forensic autopsy. A-61-year-old man was found dead in his home. The crime scene investigation exposed suicide by hanging. On internal autopsy examination pulmonary edema and congestion of all internal organs were identified. Dissection of the neck structures revealed 90 mm in length on the right side, 70 mm in length on the left side, bilateral long styloid process. Distal parts of the prolonged styloid process were situated between external and internal carotid artery. Our aim was to discuss the significance of prolonged styloid process detected at forensic autopsy.