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Intussusception: agonal phenomenon or cause of death?
1London Medicolegal Centre, Greenwich.
Medicine, Science, and the Law
|January 7, 1998
Summary
This study examines two cases of small intestinal intussusception in children and adults with unusual autopsy findings. The research concludes intussusception is a genuine pathological condition, not a post-death event.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Small intestinal intussusception is a significant cause of bowel obstruction.
- Autopsy findings in intussusception can sometimes be atypical, particularly in cases of death.
Observation:
- Two cases are presented: one pediatric and one adult, both with intussusception and unusual autopsy findings.
- The intussusception in both cases was noted during post-mortem examination.
Findings:
- The autopsy findings associated with small intestinal intussusception were atypical in both presented cases.
- A review of literature indicates that acute small intestinal intussusception in adults and children can present with non-standard autopsy results.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that atypical autopsy presentations of small intestinal intussusception represent a true pathological entity.
- It is crucial to differentiate intussusception from agonal changes to ensure accurate cause of death determination.