Histopathologic criteria of primary and secondary brain stem lesions

The brain stems from 52 corpses were microscopically examined. These cases died as a result of closed head injuries, which were clinically diagnosed and/or diagnosed postmortem as primary brain stem lesions. The morphological changes in these cases were compared with morphological changes in the brain stems of corpses who died from cerebral hemorrhage with additional secondary brain stem lesions. The examinations revealed acidophilic necrosis of the vessel walls in brain stem hemorrhages with fibrin impregnation of the vessel walls. Fibrin penetration to the perivascular space was the basic morphological marker that helped to differentiate between these two groups of cases.     

Giant berry aneurysms in a forensic setting: a series of 14 cases

This is a series reviewing 14 cases of giant saccular aneurysms diagnosed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City collected over an 11-year period. Data collected on all 14 cases included neuropathological findings, comorbidities, and toxicological findings. Of these 14 cases, 8 were in women, and the ages ranged from 3 to 79 years, with a mean and a median of 50 years. Women were overrepresented in the sixth through eighth decades. Of the 14 cases described, 11 presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage; 3, no hemorrhage; 2, subdural hemorrhage; 8, intraventricular hemorrhage; 2, intracerebral hemorrhage; and 8, more than 1 hemorrhage type. Location of the aneurysms varied with 6 in the left side of the brain, 6 present in the right side of the brain, and 2 at the midline. We described the clinical, pathological, and toxicological findings associated with these giant aneurysms.     

112例脑弥漫性轴索损伤分析

目的探讨脑弥漫性轴索损伤（diffuse axonal injury,DAI）与脑挫裂伤和原发性脑干损伤的关系。方法分析112例DAI伤者的法医临床学资料和影像学特点,对原发性脑损伤的特征进行比较。结果112例DAI伤者中70.5%为交通事故致伤,多次暴力致伤比较多见（60.7%）,伴脑挫裂伤者80例（71.4%）。CT或MRI发现出血灶者90例。结论DAI多伴有脑皮质挫裂伤和原发性脑损伤,CT或MRI有助于法医学死因分析和伤残程度鉴定。     

Stressful events as a trigger of sudden death: a study of 43 medico-legal autopsy cases

The reports relating emotional stress to sudden death are largely anecdotal. In addition to experimental and electrophysiological studies, an opportunity for a better understanding of possible stress-related sudden death (SSD) may be provided by medico-legal autopsies. The goal of our autopsy study was to analyze cardiovascular pathologic findings in cases of SSD and if possible identify mechanisms by which the stressful event (SE) could be the cause. Forty three cases were studied (29 males and 14 females). In all cases, the SE and the death were witnessed. The age range was 22 to 90 years in males (mean, 52) and 30 to 92 years in females (mean, 64). Death occurred in all cases without premonitory symptoms. In 20 cases, death occurred during the SE and in the other 23 cases occurred within 2 h of the event. SE included fear, 15 cases; altercation, 21 cases; sexual activity, 3 cases; police questioning or arrest, 4 cases. According to police reports, in 40 cases (90%), the victims had no previous clinical history of cardiovascular disease. At autopsy, the heart weight in males ranged from 255 to 1000 g with a mean of 517 g and in females the range was 250–700 g with a mean of 417 g. In only 3 cases, gross and microscopic examination of the heart was normal. In 2 of the remaining 40 cases the subjects died of subarachnoid hemorrhage. In 38 cases, a cardiac cause of death was found as follows: coronary heart disease, 27 cases; cardiomyopathy, 6 cases; aortic valvular stenosis, 2 cases and right ventricular dysplasia, 3 cases. A coronary artery thrombosis was found in 8 cases of sudden coronary death. Post myocardial infarction fibrosis was present in 25 cases (92%) of sudden coronary death. In conclusion, it appears from our autopsy study that SSD occurs primarily in those individuals with severe heart disease, especially coronary heart disease.     

Histopathological Profile In Fatal Yellow Phosphorous Poisoning

Yellow phosphorous (YP) is the toxic form of elemental phosphorous and the chief constituent of firecrackers and rodenticides. In India, the rodenticide paste is frequently used for the suicidal purpose. This study is an autopsy‐based observational study which describes the histopathological features of heart, lungs, liver, and kidney of fatal cases of YP poisoning. The most common autopsy features in the viscera were congestion and petechial hemorrhage. The liver histopathology findings were microvesicular steatosis (68%), hepatic necrosis (62%), macrovesicular steatosis (50%), inflammatory cells (46%), sinusoidal congestion (40%), cholestasis (32%), and toxic hepatitis (18%). Hepatic necrosis ranged from being focal to centrizonal in distribution. Congestion was the most common feature observed in the lungs and the kidney. This is the largest autopsy‐based study on YP poisoning till date. The histopathological features of liver were consistent with YP poisoning whereas the findings of heart, lungs, and kidney were nonspecific in nature.     

Commotio cordis: A case report of a fatal blow

Commotio cordis secondary to a blunt blow to the chest wall can result in ventricular fibrillation and sudden death in children. While it is commonly reported in adolescents during sporting activities, it may result from non-accidental trauma especially in infants and younger children. We report a case of a 6-month-old baby boy who presented to the emergency department in cardiac arrest. The patient's hospital records, postmortem imaging, and the autopsy results were reviewed. External examination of the infant did not reveal any evidence of trauma. Postmortem imaging revealed multiple healing posterior rib fractures and a metaphyseal corner fracture, both considered fractures highly specific for physical abuse. The autopsy revealed a structurally normal heart with no microscopic abnormalities. The infant's father confessed to hitting the child on the chest after which the child became unresponsive. Given the constellation of postmortem imaging and autopsy findings in addition to the father's confession, the child's death was ruled as a homicide secondary to commotio cordis. Since there are no structural and microscopic abnormalities in the heart autopsy in cases of commotio cordis, timely on-scene investigation and a thorough investigation regarding the mechanism of injury are required to make this diagnosis. Early identification of non-accidental trauma is crucial and can prevent further abuse in other siblings.     

外伤性脑梗死的形态学观察

目的 观察外伤性脑梗死的形态学特点,并探讨其与脑挫伤的鉴别。方法 从81例重型颅脑损伤中选出15例符合继发性出血坏死标准的脑标本,另选15例脑挫伤标本作对照,两者均经福尔马林固定后分别作冠状、矢状及水平切面,用肉眼与光镜观察。结果 外伤性脑梗死常见于5个部位,即基底节(3例)、扣带回(2例)、对称性枕部楔叶回(2例)、枕颞外侧回(6例,5例合并有中脑桥脑出血)和枕回(2例);梗死均不在直接受力点或其对冲点,范围明确局限,呈楔形或类楔形,且与脑疲密切相关。镜下见梗死区高度淤血、出血及坏死;水肿,并有白细胞浸润和胶质细胞反应。大脑各叶的梗死,严重者累及全皮层与蛛网膜下腔,未见软脑膜破裂;神经细胞缺氧或缺血性病变明显。脑挫伤的案例,见受力点或对冲部位的皮质及皮质下髓质处出血,挫伤处脑回顶部的软脑膜多破裂,挫伤的脑组织可有挫烂。结论 外伤性脑梗死在法医学上习惯称为继发性出血坏死;它是由于脑疝和水肿压迫颅内血管而形成。外伤性脑梗死和脑挫伤,根据其与脑疝的关系、病变部位、软脑膜是否完整,以及其它组织学改变,二者不难鉴别。     

An unusual missile-type head injury caused by a stone: case report and medicolegal perspectives

Missile head injury is predominantly caused by firearms; however, small blunt objects such as a stone can be propelled into the air and cause a low-velocity-type missile injury, as described in this case report. Since the cerebral damage in low-velocity missile injuries is usually focal, there might not be disturbance of consciousness until secondary brain damage occurs; therefore, adequate medical supervision is necessary to prevent and treat potentially fatal complications in a timely manner. This is a rare case of a penetrating missile wound of the head, most likely caused by the use of a stone propelled by a slingshot that penetrated the skull and lacerated the brain with the stone embedded within the substance of the brain. The deceased died at home 2 days later from focal suppurative meningitis with cerebral abscess formation and a subdural hemorrhage.     

41例外伤性脑干出血特点分析

本文报告41例外伤性脑干出血。根据发生出血的机制分为3种类型。对不同类型的脑干出血的部位、程度和型态特点进行了分析。笔者讨论了脑干出血的程度和部位与损伤至死亡时间的关系。为不同机制引起的脑干出血的诊断和鉴别诊断提供了参考资料。     

Motor-vehicle collision-related death due to delayed-onset subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with anticoagulant therapy

Delayed deaths following injury are not rare. Various mechanisms may be responsible for such deaths, including pulmonary thromboembolism, fat embolism, infection, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and delayed hemorrhage. In the present case, we describe a death due to delayed subarachnoid hemorrhage following a motor vehicle collision, wherein the hemorrhage occurred ten days after the incident, while the patient remained hospitalized for skeletal trauma. At no time prior to the hemorrhage did the victim show any symptoms of brain injury. Autopsy revealed basilar subarachnoid hemorrhage arising from a cerebral cortical contusion. There was no evidence of aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. A significant underlying contributing factor in the delayed hemorrhage was the victim's chronic anticoagulant therapy, which was required because of a mechanical heart valve.     

28例心脏挫伤的法医病理学观察

目的观察心脏挫伤的形态特点和分布规律,探讨心脏挫伤的分类和分级方法及与成伤机制的关系。方法用改良的心脏挫伤检查法对28例人体心脏挫伤标本进行肉眼和光镜观察并测量挫伤灶的大小。结果肉眼观察,心脏挫伤灶切面一般呈带状、楔形、类圆形或条纹状;观察连续切面,可见其相应的三维形态大致呈类圆盘状、类圆锥体、类球体或线状。显微镜下,挫伤区主要表现为轻重不等的出血、心肌纤维断裂和心肌细胞变性坏死,按出血和变性坏死的程度可将心脏挫伤分为出血型、坏死型和出血坏死型。心脏挫伤见于心脏各部位和心壁各层,不同部位的挫伤发生率和类型差异大。以挫伤灶的体积、数量和部位为依据,将心脏挫伤的程度分为4级。结论心脏挫伤的形态多样、分布广泛、各部位的挫伤类型和发生率差异大。     

Histological examination of the temporal bone in medicolegal cases of asphyxia

Histological findings of the temporal bone in 23 autopsy cases of various asphyxial fatalities were studied. The temporal bones of 12 cases who died of tumors including mammary cancer, gastric cancer, myxoma of heart and craniopharyngioma, the bones of 3 cases of heart attack and the bones of 17 cases who died of various poisoning (barbiturate, amphetamine, paraquat and alcohol) were used as controls. In drowning, the primary finding was hemorrhage in the mastoid air cells of the bilateral temporal bones. In cases of strangulation by ligature, hemorrhage and edema of the cochlear duct in the inner ear as well as hemorrhage in the mastoid air cells were demonstrated bilaterally. In contrast, congestion and edema in the mastoid air cells and inner ear were found in cases of manual strangulation but there was no hemorrhage. From these results, the histological examination of the temporal bone is useful as an adjunct procedure for diagnosing the cause of asphyxia. Differentiation between drowning, strangulation by ligature and manual strangulation may be possible by observing hemorrhages or their absence in the mastoid air cells and inner ear.     

The expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 in traumatic brain injury

It is well recognized that glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter, which is removed from the synaptic cleft by excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) located on the perisynaptic astrocytes and that neuronal death has been associated with an increased extracellular glutamate concentration. In this study, we have immunohistochemically demonstrated the expression of EAAT2 protein in the human brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The EAAT2 expression patterns can be divided into three types: continuous and highly extensive staining (E); continuous but sporadic staining (M); and sporadic pattern staining (S). In six of the nine short survival cases studied (1 h to 1 day), continuous and highly extensive staining for EAAT2 (E type) was observed in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex. On the other hand, we were able to demonstrate weak staining (S and M types) in 5 of the 7 long survival cases (≥1 day) and in 12 of the 14 very short survival cases (<1 h) studied. Similar findings were obtained in the contralateral cerebral cortex and also in the ipsilateral hippocampus. In addition, positive staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein was detected around the cerebral contusion, but the EAAT2-positive expression was not observed in the same region for all of the six short and long survival cases (≥1 h) after TBI. These findings clearly showed the differences in EAAT2 expression in the cerebral cortex according to the survival time and severity of cerebral contusion after TBI. Therefore, we emphasized that EAAT2 might play an important role in contributing to extracellular glutamate concentrations and secondary brain injury after TBI.     

The expression of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 in traumatic brain injury

It is well recognized that glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter, which is removed from the synaptic cleft by excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) located on the perisynaptic astrocytes and that neuronal death has been associated with an increased extracellular glutamate concentration. In this study, we have immunohistochemically demonstrated the expression of EAAT2 protein in the human brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The EAAT2 expression patterns can be divided into three types: continuous and highly extensive staining (E); continuous but sporadic staining (M); and sporadic pattern staining (S). In six of the nine short survival cases studied (1 h to 1 day), continuous and highly extensive staining for EAAT2 (E type) was observed in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex. On the other hand, we were able to demonstrate weak staining (S and M types) in 5 of the 7 long survival cases (> or =1 day) and in 12 of the 14 very short survival cases (<1 h) studied. Similar findings were obtained in the contralateral cerebral cortex and also in the ipsilateral hippocampus. In addition, positive staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein was detected around the cerebral contusion, but the EAAT2-positive expression was not observed in the same region for all of the six short and long survival cases (> or =1 h) after TBI. These findings clearly showed the differences in EAAT2 expression in the cerebral cortex according to the survival time and severity of cerebral contusion after TBI. Therefore, we emphasized that EAAT2 might play an important role in contributing to extracellular glutamate concentrations and secondary brain injury after TBI.     

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage related to methamphetamine abuse: autopsy findings and clinical correlation

A healthy 31-year-old male abstinent from drug abuse during his recent incarceration developed slurred speech, a severe headache, and left-sided hemiparesis prior to his eventual death 9.5 hours after inhalation of methamphetamine. On postmortem examination, inspection of the brain revealed bilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage, with a prominent intralobar hemorrhage centered within the right frontal cerebral hemisphere. No evidence of vasculitis, infarction, intraventricular hemorrhage, or ruptured aneurysm could be observed. While this is not the first report of a methamphetamine-related stroke, this report describes the autopsy findings of an intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to methamphetamine abuse on autopsy and compares the findings and antemortem history to previously reported methamphetamine cerebral vascular deaths.     

Malaria deaths in the United States: case report and review of deaths, 1979-1998

Malaria is the world's most important parasitic disease, accounting for an estimated 300 to 500 million new cases and between 1.5 and 2.7 deaths annually. The majority of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa where malaria is endemic and are the result of infection with Plasmodium falciparum. The number of deaths in the United States due to malaria is comparably much lower and involves so-called "imported" cases in which U.S. travelers acquire the infection upon travel to endemic areas and subsequently return to the United States or in which infected foreign citizens travel to the United States. There were a total of 118 deaths due to malaria in the United States between 1979 and 1998 with an average of 5.9 deaths per year. Specific epidemiological data provided by the CDC regarding the 40 deaths that occurred between 1992 and 1998 yielded the following results. Deaths occurred in patients ranging from 9 months to 89 years of age (median, 53 years). Thirty-eight (95%) of these were due to P. falciparum and two (5%) due to P. vivax. Anti-malarial chemoprophylaxis was taken in 40% of cases, not taken in 45% of cases, and unknown in 15% of cases. Twenty-four (60%) of the cases involved U.S. travelers to endemic areas, of whom 59% traveled to Africa, 25% to South America, 8% to India, 4% to Haiti, and 4% to unspecified areas. The remaining cases included eleven foreign travelers to the U.S. (27.5%), three induced cases (7.5%), and two undetermined cases (5%). Thirty-nine (98%) of the cases were diagnosed antemortem and only one case was known to have come to the attention of the medical examiner/coroner. An illustrative case report demonstrates many of the features associated with fatal malaria infections in the United States. The case involves a U.S. student who was studying in Africa and who, by report, had not taken antimalarial chemoprophylaxis. Despite seeking medical attention, the patient was not diagnosed with P. falciparum infection and cerebral malaria until the time of medico-legal autopsy, where the classic gross and microscopic features of cerebral malaria were identified. This case represents one of the few cases of P. falciparum infection in the United States not diagnosed antemortem. Given the worldwide prevalence of the disease, increasing international travel, and rapidly developing drug resistance, malaria will continue to be an important disease and should be considered in cases of sudden, unexplained deaths. By reviewing the major epidemiological features of malaria-related deaths in the United States and by presenting the major gross and microscopic features of cerebral malaria, an attempt is made at raising the awareness of the forensic community to the potential of malaria-related deaths.     

534例脑外伤所致精神障碍的司法精神病鉴定分析

目的分析脑外伤所致精神障碍的类型及鉴定的合理时间,探讨脑损伤程度及鉴定时间与智能损害程度的关系。方法对534例脑外伤患者的司法精神病鉴定资料进行回顾性分析。结果脑外伤所致精神障碍的类型中,器质性情感障碍最多(51.1%),其次为器质性神经症样综合征(24.0%)、器质性智能损害(18.0%)。伤残程度鉴定为Ⅷ级和Ⅸ级伤残最多,分别为219例(41.0%)和177例(33.1%)。智能损害组的脑损害程度、中国修订版韦氏成人智力量表(WAIS-RC)评定智力缺损程度明显高于非智能损害组(P0.05)。伤残等级和脑损伤分级、WAIS-RC评定结果、鉴定时的脑CT变化以及脑电地形图(brain electrical activity mapping,BEAM)异常分级具有相关性(P0.05),而智能损害程度与鉴定时间及脑损伤分级均无相关性(P0.05)。结论影响智能损害的因素很复杂,伤残程度鉴定时脑CT、BEAM、WAIS-RC等客观检查也是重要的参考指标。     

头部外伤后伴发病理性蛛网膜下腔出血致猝死11例鉴定分析

头部外伤后伴发病理性蛛网膜下腔出血致猝死１１例鉴定分析肖柏坤，曾建华，孙跃刚（ｌ．江西医学院法医教研室；江西３３０００６２．江西医学院第一附属医院脑外科；江西３３０００６３．南昌市公安局刑事科学技术研究所；江西３３０００６）Ａｎａｌｙｓｉｓｏｆ１１Ｃ...     

Evaluation of human brain damage in fatalities due to extreme environmental temperature by quantification of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100β and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) immunoreactivities

Fatalities due to extreme environmental temperatures involving hypothermia (cold exposure) and hyperthermia (heat stroke) might present with poor or nonspecific morphological pathologies, which are insufficient to establish the cause of death in forensic practice. The present study immunohistochemically investigated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100β and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in the parietal lobe and hippocampus of the brain in fatalities from hypothermia (n=15) and hyperthermia (n=18), and compared them to those of controls (n=39), including acute death due to ischemic heart disease, mechanical asphyxiation and drowning. In addition, S100β concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was measured. Characteristic findings in hypothermia cases were higher glial bFGF immunopositivity in the cerebral cortex and white matter, and higher S100β immunopositivity in the cerebral cortex with a lower CSF S100β concentration. Hyperthermia showed lower glial GFAP and S100β immunopositivities in the white matter, and higher neuronal ssDNA immunopositivity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, accompanied by high glial bFGF and S100β immunopositivities in the cerebral cortex. These findings suggest neuroprotective glial responses without marked neuronal or glial damage in fatal hypothermia, and diffuse neuronal apoptosis despite initiation of neuroprotective cortical astrocyte responses, accompanied by glial damage in the white matter, in fatal hyperthermia. These markers may be useful for evaluating brain damage and responses in fatalities due to extreme environmental temperatures.