Abdominal Apoplexy: Sudden Death Due to Massive, Nontraumatic Intra-abdominal Hemorrhage

Abdominal apoplexy or idiopathic spontaneous intraperitoneal hemorrhage (ISIH), the modern way to describe this condition, is a rare phenomenon representing intra-abdominal bleeding with no traumatic origin. The condition is severe and potentially life-threatening. A man in his 70s was found dead at his home. The autopsy revealed a massive hemoperitoneum with no visible traumatic injuries externally or internally. The source of the bleeding was unknown despite the careful examination of the internal organs and splanchnic vessels. The cause of death was attributed to massive exsanguination due to the rupture of a small blood vessel as a complication of generalized arteriosclerosis and hypertensive disease. Despite its rare occurrence, the forensic pathologist should always consider this pathological condition when, during the autopsy, a massive intraabdominal hemorrhage with or without a visible source of the bleeding is discovered in the absence of any visible traumas.