Osmotic demyelination syndrome - an example of using neuropathological examination in forensic medical practice

Presentation of the practical application of neuropathological examination in forensic medical practice. Emphasizing the usefulness of rarely utilized neuropathological examinations, particularly in cases of deaths with unclear neurological etiology.

A 46-year-old woman with alcohol addiction passed away due to encephalopathy, clinically identified as toxic encephalopathy. A standard autopsy did not allow for a definitive determination of the cause of death. Thanks to the conducted neuropathological examination, which revealed extensive demyelination, and the analysis of the treatment course, the toxic cause of death was ruled out, leading to the diagnosis of osmotic demyelination syndrome resulting from overly rapid correction of hyponatremia. .

This case highlights the crucial role of neuropathology in post-mortem diagnostics and underscores the need for developing guidelines and educating prosecutors on its application in forensic autopsies.