Abstract Hypothermia and diabetic ketoacidosis are both potentially fatal conditions, which have historically been considered to have associated pathognomonic pathologies. Hypothermia and diabetic ketoacidosis share similar pathological mechanisms, which result in metabolic derangement, with increased post mortem vitreous glucose and β-hydroxybuyrate, and are able to exacerbate and precipitate one another. Although Wischnewsky lesions are associated with hypothermia, and Armanni-Ebstein lesions and basal subnuclear vacuolization are associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, recent studies have demonstrated that there is a significant overlap between the pathological findings of these 2 conditions. We report a case of a 50-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes who was found deceased in the middle of winter. Autopsy showed Wischnewsky lesions, Armanni-Ebstein lesions, and basal subnuclear vacuolization, together with elevated vitreous glucose and β-hydroxybuyrate. The cause of death was the combined effects of hypothermia and diabetic ketoacidosis. This case highlights the overlapping clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and pathology of these 2 conditions.

Vacuolization

Basal (medicine)

10.1097/paf.0000000000000380

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Citations (12)

Acute epiglottitis: An uncommon cause of fatal upper airway obstruction in adults

Pathology (2018)

T. Chen Zhi Yuen Yap Kilak Kesha Paul Morrow Simon Stables

Epiglottis

Epiglottitis

Airway obstruction

10.1016/j.pathol.2017.12.267

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Citations (0)

Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells in an axillary lymph node dissection specimen for breast carcinoma – A case report

Pathology (2020)

Zhi Yuen Yap Tracy Tan

Pathognomonic

Breast carcinoma

10.1016/j.pathol.2020.01.325

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A Rare Case of Isolated Atrial Myocarditis Causing Death With no Post Mortem Computed Tomography Scan Correlation

American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology (2017)

Rexson Tse Jack Garland Kilak Kesha Yvonne Triggs Lucy Modahl

Acute myocarditis is a potentially fatal cardiac pathology that is thought to cause sudden death through arrhythmia and cardiac failure. Of the different subtypes, lymphocytic myocarditis is the most common form. The pathophysiology of myocarditis can be generally diffuse or focally involve the ventricles, but less frequently affects the atria. Although the clinical literature reports isolated atrial myocarditis as a cause of atrial fibrillation and enlargement, there is scant postmortem literature on the findings of this pathology. We report a fatal case of isolated lymphocytic atrial myocarditis affecting only the left atrium in a 56-year-old man, where microscopy of the left atrium confirmed a florid lymphocytic myocarditis. Retrospective postmortem computed tomography scan review did not show any abnormalities on the left atrial wall.

Sudden Death

Pathophysiology

10.1097/paf.0000000000000364

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Citations (10)