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A fatal denture in the oesophagus.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|September 1, 1978
Summary
A lodged esophageal denture caused a fatal aortic hemorrhage. Erosion from a denture projection perforated the esophagus, leading to aortic wall impingement and bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Forensic Pathology
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is a common clinical occurrence.
- The esophagus and aorta share close anatomical proximity, posing risks for rare but severe complications.
Observation:
- An unusual case involved a patient presenting with a fatal hemorrhage.
- A post-mortem examination revealed a denture lodged within the esophagus.
Findings:
- A projection from the ingested denture had perforated the esophageal wall.
- This perforation allowed the denture to impinge directly upon the adjacent aortic wall.
- Subsequent erosion of the aorta by the denture projection led to the fatal hemorrhage.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but lethal complication of foreign body ingestion.
- It underscores the importance of considering unusual etiologies in cases of unexplained hemorrhage.
- Accurate post-mortem examination is crucial for identifying the cause of death in complex cases.