The forensic medical significance of morphometry of the spleen in drug addiction and chronic alcoholic intoxication

Data on histomorphologic damage to the spleen in chronic narcotic and alcoholic intoxication are described. The below features are recommended for the diagnosis of chronic exogenous intoxication: thickening and sclerosis of the spleen connective structures and a lower count of lymphocytes in the white pulp. The diagnosis criteria of chronic intoxication by intravenously administered opiates are: hyperplasia of the spleen follicles as well as a higher quantity of plasmocytes and of eosinophiles in the white pulp. Hypotrophy of the spleen lymphoid follicles and higher counts of monocytes and macrophages in the lymphoid follicles should be also regarded as a sign of chronic alcoholic intoxication. The obtained data can be used by forensic medical experts in the diagnosis of chronic narcotic intoxication and in its differential diagnosis versus alcoholic intoxication.