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Fatal systemic (paradoxical) air embolism diagnosed by postmortem funduscopy
Lucy M Bradley1, Anna G McDonald2, Patrick E Lantz2
1Department of Pathology, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|June 16, 2021
Summary
Retinal air emboli (RAE) are a rare sign of systemic air embolism. This case report documents RAE in an infant, aiding in diagnosing fatal air embolism through postmortem examination.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Systemic air embolism is frequently underdiagnosed.
- Retinal air emboli (RAE) are a rare but distinctive sign of systemic air embolism.
- Published literature lacks photographic documentation of RAE, particularly in pediatric cases.
Observation:
- An infant presented unresponsive and later died despite resuscitation.
- Postmortem funduscopy revealed diagnostic RAE.
- Radiography and autopsy confirmed systemic paradoxical air embolism from inflicted blunt force trauma.
Findings:
- This case report provides the first photographic evidence of RAE in an infant.
- The findings illustrate classic RAE associated with fatal systemic air embolism.
- RAE were detected during postmortem funduscopy.
Implications:
- The detection of RAE can assist pathologists in diagnosing systemic air embolism.
- This case highlights the importance of funduscopy in postmortem examinations.
- Recognizing RAE can improve the diagnosis of air embolism in critical care and forensic settings.
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