Postmortem computed tomography evaluation of fatal gas embolism due to connection of an intravenous cannula to an oxygen supply

An 84-year-old man who had suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease accompanied by moderate pneumonia as well as gastric cancer with liver metastasis was found dead by a nurse, who noticed that the patient’s intravenous catheter in the left forearm had been erroneously connected to an oxygen supply in his hospital room, leading to infusion of oxygen into a vein. Postmortem CT scanning demonstrated multiple accumulations of gas in the pulmonary artery, the right atrium and ventricle, as well as the left subclavian and brachiocephalic veins, corresponding to the route that the infused gas would have taken to the heart and pulmonary artery. Conventional autopsy revealed the presence of gas in the right ventricle. These findings suggested that the immediate cause of death was a gas embolus due to oxygen that had entered the cardiopulmonary circulation via the intravenous catheter. This case highlights the usefulness of postmortem imaging as an aid to conventional autopsy for demonstrating gas embolism.     

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is an uncommon congenital abnormality that occurs in 0.4 to 0.7% of postmortem examinations. Ninety percent of these anomalies are associated with an atrial septal defect. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return occurs more commonly on the right than the left and is manifested by abnormal return of the pulmonary veins to the central venous circulation. Most patients are asymptomatic, but when symptoms are present they are due to shunting of oxygenated blood to the venous circulation. We submit the case of a recently activated solider who presented with dyspnea on exertion refractory to inhaled corticosteroids and an 8.5-mm solitary pulmonary nodule. Further diagnostic imaging revealed PAPVR. Our case appears to be the first report of a solitary pulmonary nodule as the initial presentation of a right upper lobe PAPVR with return to the superior vena cava in the absence of associated atrial septal defect.     

24例镰刀综合征心血管造影征象分析

笔者分析了２４例镰刀综合征心肺血管病变的造影征象及其病理生理意义，并与手术（１４例）和尸解（４例）资料对照。２４例心血管造影示全部或部分右肺静脉异常引流，分别为１７例和７例。异常引流静脉近端局限性狭窄９例，其中２例异常和正常引流静脉间有侧支吻合，右下肺异常体动脉侧支供血１８例。并存各种心脏病变者１８例，马蹄肺６例，右下肺肺隔离症３例，下腔静脉闭锁和狭窄分别为２和１例。右下肺异常体动脉侧支和心脏病变是患者严重症状和肺动脉高压的主要因素。除肺隔离症外，经导管栓塞异常体动脉侧支可使用者明显受益。异常引流静脉狭窄具有限制血液分流的作用。     

Anatomical associations and radiological characteristics of Scimitar syndrome on CT and MR

PurposeTo report the anatomical associations and radiological characteristics of Scimitar syndrome on CT and MR.Materials and methodsRetrospective review of the medical records between February 2001 and February 2016 was performed. To identify patients, radiological reports were queried for “Scimitar” or “partial anomalous pulmonary venous return.” Patients with radiological findings of Scimitar syndrome were included. Patients without cross-sectional imaging were excluded. Patients' demographics, radiologic images, and medical notes were reviewed. Two radiologists re-read the available imaging studies. Images were reviewed for Scimitar syndrome confirmation, number and location of Scimitar vein drainage, number of lobes drained by the Scimitar vein, and right pulmonary artery and lung hypoplasia. In addition, the number of pulmonary veins draining into the left atrium, left sided anomalous pulmonary veins, congenital heart disease, aortic arch anomalies, cardiac dextroposition, right ventricular enlargement, pulmonary artery enlargement, and elevated QP:QS ratios were identified. Other associated anomalies including the presence of an anomalous feeding artery and pulmonary sequestration, abnormal lobar pattern, localized bronchiectasis, horseshoe lung, accessory diaphragm, diaphragmatic hernia, vertebral anomalies, and genitourinary tract anomalies were reviewed.ResultsSixteen patients (3 males, 13 females; mean age 39.5 years, range 14 days–72 years) with confirmed Scimitar syndrome on CT and MR imaging were identified. The Scimitar vein drained to the infra-diaphragmatic inferior vena cava (IVC) in ten patients and to the supra-diaphragmatic IVC in six patients. The most common associated anomalies were right ventricle enlargement (93.3%), variant lobar pattern of the right lung (92.9%), enlarged pulmonary arteries (60%), and cardiac dextroposition (50%).ConclusionRecognizing the radiologic characteristics and anatomical associations of Scimitar syndrome is important as features of the primary condition and associated anomalies may have implications in surgical management.     

3. Sudden death due to pulmonary thromboembolism after car driving: a case report

An autopsy case of sudden death due to pulmonary thromboembolism after a car trip is reported. A 56-year-old Japanese man with hypertension and atrial fibrillation suddenly died immediately after having driven for two and a half hours. At autopsy, the pulmonary arteries were found to be filled with dark-red, coiling thrombi consisting of fibrin and red blood cells. In the dilated right popliteal vein, a thrombus consisting of fibroblasts, a large number of collagen fibres, and newly formed capillaries was attached to the vessel wall. The cause of death was determined to be pulmonary embolism due to the thrombus of the right popliteal vein. Two and a half hours of prolonged sitting while driving a car encouraged thrombus formation. We believe that this case, the first autopsy case of fatal pulmonary thromboembolism after a car trip to be reported, highlights the importance of predicting venous thrombosis of the leg or fatal venous thromboembolism after a car trip.     

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the portal vein

Anomalous pulmonary venous return represents a rare congenital anomaly with wide anatomic and physiologic variability. We report a case of a newborn with a rare form of total infracardiac anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). The pulmonary veins draining both lungs formed two vertical veins, which joined to a common pulmonary trunk below the diaphragm. This venous channel connected to the portal vein through the esophageal hiatus. The diagnosis was suggested by color Doppler sonography and confirmed by intravenous digital subtraction angiography, which allowed definition of the anatomy.     

Sudden infant death attributed to peracute pulmonary infection: two autopsy cases

This report describes two autopsy cases of sudden infant death attributed to peracute pulmonary infection in which possible causative microorganisms could be identified despite only minor pathological findings. Both babies were 5-month-old boys, who had no symptomatic disorders and were found dead in bed. Their main macropathology was inflated heavy lungs with patchy bleedings. One case showed a pulmonary histopathological finding suggestive of viral infection, and adenovirus DNA was detected from the intrabronchial fluid. In the second case, pulmonary histopathology was a feature of early inflammatory reaction involving focal necrosis with some neutrophil infiltration and many intra-alveolar macrophages containing gram-positive cocci, and Staphylococcus aureus was identified in venous blood culture. These findings significantly support the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in sudden infant death.     

不同类型Budd—Chiari综合征脾肾分流方向不同

目的：提高对不同类型Budd-Chiari综合征脾肾分流方向的认识及在治疗中的意义。方法：2例经血管造影证实的Budd-Chiari综合征脾肾分流影像所见,并作文献复习。结果：2例脾肾分流。1例肝静脉闭塞型,血流经脾、肾静脉逆流入下腔静脉;另1例下腔静脉狭窄型,血流经左肾、脾、胃及食管静脉由下而上流入上腔静脉,行PTA后分流血管立即消失。结论：不同类型Budd-Chiari综合征的脾肾分流方向不同,介入治疗方法不同。术前明确诊断尤为重要。     

Anomalous systemic venous drainage occurring in association with the hypogenetic lung syndrome

A case in which anomalous systemic venous drainage occurred in association with the hypogenetic lung syndrome (scimitar syndrome) is described. The chest radiograph appearances of the anomalous systemic vein mimicked an anomalous pulmonary or scimitar vein. Angiography demonstrated that the patient also had a small anomalous pulmonary vein draining and a systemic artery supplying, the right lung. As the right lung was hypoplastic, all three features of the hypogenetic lung syndrome were present, in addition to partial anomalous systemic venous drainage.     

George W. Holmes Lecture. Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: correlative evaluation and therapeutic implications.

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States; estimates range from 120,000 to 150,000 deaths annually. Although usually symptomatic, deep venous thrombosis can be clinically occult, in part due to incomplete obstruction or in part related to duplication, triplication, and fenestration anomalies, primarily of the superficial femoral or popliteal vein. Additionally, pulmonary emboli caused by deep venous thrombosis may be clinically silent. Because of therapeutic implications, especially indications for insertion of inferior vena caval filters, comprehensive assessments of both the disease process (i.e., deep venous thrombosis) and the complication (i.e., pulmonary emboli) are important. Thus, when a pulmonary embolus is the presenting process, correlative assessment of deep venous thrombosis, even in the absence of symptoms or signs in the lower extremity, may be of therapeutic significance. Conversely, when deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities involving the popliteal or superficial femoral vein is the presenting process, correlative assessment of the pulmonary circulation, even when no pulmonary symptoms or signs are present, may be of therapeutic significance. Relative to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, the roles of assays of D-dimer, ventilation-perfusion lung scans, and segmental occlusion studies of the pulmonary circulation are discussed. Finally, the indications for insertion of inferior vena caval filters above the renal veins are presented and examples are shown.     

Dual connection of single pulmonary vein in partial anomalous pulmonary venous return

We present the case of a 6-month-old infant born premature at 29 weeks with perinatal stroke and postnatal hypoxia. Echocardiogram was suspicious for partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR). Cardiac CT showed an unusual variant of PAPVR, with a vertical vein having a dual connection superiorly to the left innominate vein and inferiorly to the morphologic left atrium. This unusual variant has the potential for right-to-left flow with a possibility of systemic hypoxia and paradoxical embolism.     

Unexpected infant death due to hypoplastic left heart syndrome: a case report

A female infant was found unresponsive at home. The mother alleged that she delivered the baby at home 13 days prior to the death. The mother did not have any prenatal examinations during the pregnancy and the infant was not examined by a doctor until death. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and the infant’s chest showed bilateral breast enlargement. Forensic pathologists may encounter very rare pathological findings with unexpected infant deaths. Some, like HLHS, are serious congenital heart defects related to the cause of death, and others are unique phenomena unrelated to the cause of death such as breast swelling and discharge called “witch’s milk.” In this case, we observed both findings.     

Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia: Literature overview and case report

The unilateral absence of the pulmonary vein, known as pulmonary vein atresia, is a rare type of unilateral pulmonary venous hypoplasia caused by the congenital atrophy of the long pulmonary vein segments in one lung. The involved lung may be normal in size or present with hypoplasia and is often characterized by increased interstitial attenuation and interlobular septal thickening due to venous stasis, edema, and fibrosis. Pulmonary angiography often reveals a reduced size for the lateral pulmonary artery, peripherally sparse pulmonary vessels, contrast stasis, and the inability to visualize pulmonary veins. Symptoms include coughing up blood and infection. We present the clinical case of a patient who was initially diagnosed with recurrent hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis, followed by unsuccessful treatment. Imaging by 64-slice computed tomography with contrast injection using multiplanar reformation and volume rendering techniques allowed this case to be definitively diagnosed. This report emphasizes the epidemiological factors and clinical and imaging features of unilateral pulmonary vein atresia to prevent confusion and facilitate proper diagnosis in similar cases.     

Metastatic chondrosarcoma to the lung with extension into the left atrium via invasion of the pulmonary veins: presentation as embolic cerebral infarction

We present a case of metastatic chondrosarcoma to the lungs that invaded the left inferior pulmonary vein, extended into the left atrium and presented with an embolic cerebral infarct. CT findings included a large mass in the left lower lobe associated with enlargement of the left inferior pulmonary vein and a lobular filling defect in the left atrium. Systemic arterial embolization and obstruction of the mitral valve may be prominent features of pulmonary tumors that have invaded the pulmonary veins.     

Anomalous unilateral single pulmonary vein: two cases mimicking arteriovenous malformations and a review of the literature

Total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage is a rare congenital anomaly. It usually involves a pulmonary to systemic venous shunt and most cases have a septal defect in order to survive. Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage with pulmonary venous shunting is an extremely rare and entirely benign entity. We present two such cases, in which there was atresia of the left superior pulmonary vein and drainage via a tortuous collateral vein to the left inferior pulmonary vein. This collateral was mistaken on plain film and CT for a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. Awareness of this anomalous unilateral single pulmonary vein and its radiological appearances may help in avoiding unnecessary pulmonary angiography.     

Mechanisms of unexpected death and autopsy findings in Leigh syndrome (subacute necrotising encephalomyelopathy)

A 21-year-old previously-well woman who was undergoing medical investigations for problems with balance and suspected multiple sclerosis, developed a headache and breathing difficulties, and died suddenly and unexpected at home. The autopsy was unremarkable except for pulmonary and cerebral oedema. However, subsequent microscopy of the brain revealed characteristic features of Leigh syndrome with multifocal areas of astrogliosis, capillary proliferation, and parenchymal vacuolation. While Leigh syndrome is more commonly diagnosed in infancy, manifestations may occur throughout early life into adulthood. Sudden and unexpected death is a rare presentation that may be associated with cerebral necrosis and oedema. An awareness of the variable manifestations of Leigh syndrome is necessary in forensic practice as not all cases will present in a typical manner and sudden death may occur before a diagnosis has been established. The heritable nature of this condition makes accuracy of diagnosis essential.     

Fatal intussusception in infancy: an experience in forensic autopsy

Intussusception, although a common cause of pediatric surgical emergencies, is a rarely fatal condition. A 7-month-old infant who was discovered in her cot was unresponsive and pronounced dead after 2 h of uneventful cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an emergency hospital. Forensic autopsy which was performed in order to clarify the circumstances surrounding the death revealed intussusceptions at two sites of the ileum. Although morbidity and mortality rates from the condition have progressively declined in recent decades but avoidable deaths still occur as was experienced in the present case. The forensic pathology significance in this case was the occurrence of 'painless intussusception' whereby the affected child clinically exhibited no discomfort or characteristic features of acute abdomen until death. In summary, the present case has exhibited an uncommon fatal occurrence and demonstrated the importance of forensic autopsy in such unexpected sudden infant deaths.     

完全性肺静脉畸形连接X线与超声心动图的对照研究

本文对１９例手术证实的完全性肺静脉畸形连接进行了Ｘ线（平片、造影）及超声心动图的对照研究，结果表明平片对引流入左上腔静脉者有相当的价值，心内型者无特异性。Ｍ型超声心动图诊断本症限度大，双维超声既能定性亦能做出分型诊断。对混合型完全性肺静脉畸型连接以及其他诸型亚型的诊断，仍以造影检查最佳。     

Bland-White-Garland-Syndrom

This is a report on the sudden death of a 4-week-old female infant without external signs of violence. At autopsy the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk (Bland-White-Garland syndrome) was identified as the possible cause of death. Immunohistochemical investigations revealed fresh cardiac necrosis indicating an acute fatal event. Toxicological analyses were negative.     

Incidental meandering right pulmonary vein,literature review and proposed nomenclature revision

We report a case of an anomalous pulmonary vein on chest X-ray resembling a scimitar sign in an 80-year-old female undergoing investigation of syncope.Multislice computed tomography(CT) with multiplanar reformatting and maximum intensity projections demonstrated an aberrant right inferior pulmonary vein coursing inferomedially towards the diaphragm before turning superiorly and draining normally into the left atrium.The diagnosis of an incidental meandering right pulmonary vein was established.The case is used to review the literature on this rare pulmonary anomaly,including pathogenesis,its relationship with scimitar syndrome and scimitar variant,and diagnosis,with an emphasis on the role modern CT techniques can play in noninvasive diagnosis.A revision to the nomenclature of pulmonary vascular anomalies is proposed to help reduce confusion in the literature.