A Rare Presentation of Sudden Death due to Pulmonary Thromboembolism Possibly as a Result of Giant Hepatic Hemangioma. Issue 6 (22nd May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chan, Shijia; Tan, Huimin
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 64:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 1921
• Page End: 1925
• Publication Date: 2019-05-22
• Subjects: forensic science -- forensic pathology -- autopsy -- cause of death -- pulmonary thromboembolism -- hepatic hemangioma -- sudden collapse; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: Hepatic hemangiomas are usually detected incidentally when investigating for other nonrelated pathologies. When symptomatic, they are usually large and cause symptoms such as abdominal discomfort or other digestive issues. Occasionally, uncommon presentations such as bleeding with coagulopathy (Kasabach–Merritt syndrome) or even fever of unknown origin may occur. As hepatic hemangiomas are benign, they do not result in tumor emboli and pulmonary thromboembolism due to hepatic hemangiomas is extremely rare. This is a case report of a rare case of a female with no known past medical history who presented with sudden death due to pulmonary thromboembolism, possibly as a result of an underlying giant hepatic hemangioma. Incidentally, she also had three other tumors—pancreatic cystic lymphangioma, cerebral capillary telangiectasia, and papillary thyroid carcinoma, and their potential contribution to the cause of death will be discussed.