Pulmonary and systemic cerebellar tissue embolism due to birth injury

Brain tissue embolism in the coronary, leptomeningeal and pulmonary arteries was discovered microscopically following the autopsy of a female newborn. Death occurred 8 h after breech delivery, which had been complicated by both arms being turned up beside the head. The dislodged brain tissue originated from the left cerebellar hemisphere and had entered the venous blood stream through a rupture of the left sinus transversus. Both "paradoxical" systemic and pulmonary artery embolization ensued. The baby died from the combined effects of cerebral haemorrhage, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and shock.