Drowning, haemodilution, haemolysis and staining of the intima of the aortic root – preliminary observations

Byard, Roger W.; Cains, Glenda; Simpson, Ellie; Eitzen, David; Tsokos, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.jcfm.2006.01.003

Cited by 40 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Many of the features that are found in humans who are removed from water, such as 'washerwoman' changes of the hands and feet may merely result from immersion and not drowning [2]. Electrolyte studies have proven non-diagnostic, although elevated blood and vitreous sodium levels are in keeping with saltwater immersion [3].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endobronchial sand casts: an unusual marker of saltwater immersion in a juvenile pygmy sperm whale (kogia breviceps)

Byard

Machado

McLelland

2010

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endobronchial sand casts: an unusual marker of saltwater immersion in a juvenile pygmy sperm whale (kogia breviceps)

Byard

Machado

McLelland

2010

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…While this most likely results from osmotic shifts of fluids from the alveoli into the circulation, with resultant hemodilution [22], passive diffusion from the surrounding water into the vitreous may also be a possibility with prolonged immersion. Hyponatremia has been a reported feature in underwater births, suggesting that the time course may be relatively rapid whatever the underlying mechanism [23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hyponatremia at autopsy: an analysis of etiologic mechanisms and their possible significance

Byramji

Cains²,

Gilbert³

et al. 2008

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

While electrolyte measurements after death may be confounded by a number of variables, vitreous humor sodium tends to remain stable for some time, enabling correlation between ante- and postmortem levels. Review of natural and unnatural causes of reduced vitreous humor sodium levels at autopsy was undertaken to demonstrate the range of diseases that may result in this finding. Natural diseases affecting the vasopressin-renin-angiotensin axis may cause reduction in sodium levels with associated hypovolemia, euvolemia, and hypervolemia. Low sodium measurements may also occur with redistribution of water, and artefactually when there are underlying lipid and protein disorders. Unnatural causes of hyponatremia at autopsy include water intoxication from psychogenic polydipsia, environmental polydipsia, ingestion of dilute infant formulas, beer potomania, endurance exercise, fresh water immersion (including water births) and iatrogenic causes including drug and parenteral fluid administration, and surgical irrigation. A knowledge of the range of conditions that may result in lowered postmortem sodium levels will help to exclude or confirm certain diseases at autopsy. In addition, significant vitreous hyponatremia may be a useful finding to help clarify mechanisms of unnatural deaths.

show abstract

“…2 Lungs lacking evidence of aspiration are documented in experimental drownings of muskrats and beavers that had a mucus plug in the trachea. 26 Additional findings in humans that may support a diagnosis of drowning are pleural effusion, subdural discoloration of the petrous temporal bone due to congestion or hemorrhage in the mastoid process and middle ear, hemorrhage in the neck muscles, a contracted spleen, 46,71,77 Paltauf's spots and hemolytic red staining of the aortic intima, 13,15 and left heart. 92 Paltauf's spots are subpleural, intraalveolar hemorrhages, blurred due to hemolysis.…”

Section: Macroscopic and Microscopic Lesions Of Drowningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Veterinary Forensic Pathology

McEwen

Gerdin²

2016

Vet Pathol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Determining the cause of death in animals recovered from bodies of water, swimming pools, or other water-containing vessels is challenging. Animals recovered from water may or may not have drowned. The diagnosis of drowning is usually one of exclusion, requiring information from the crime scene, recovery scene, the medical history or reliable witness accounts. While there are characteristic macroscopic and microscopic lesions of drowning, none are specific and are dependent on the volume and tonicity of the drowning medium. Beyond interpreting the postmortem findings, the court may ask pathologists to comment on the behavioral and welfare implications of drowning. This requires an understanding of the drowning process, which is a complex series of sequential, concurrent, and overlapping cardiorespiratory reflexes, electrolyte and blood gas abnormalities, aspiration, physical exhaustion, and breathlessness eventually culminating in death. This review addresses the mechanisms, lesions, and diagnostic issues associated with drowning in nonaquatic companion animals.

show abstract

Drowning, haemodilution, haemolysis and staining of the intima of the aortic root – preliminary observations

Cited by 40 publications

References 11 publications

Endobronchial sand casts: an unusual marker of saltwater immersion in a juvenile pygmy sperm whale (kogia breviceps)

Endobronchial sand casts: an unusual marker of saltwater immersion in a juvenile pygmy sperm whale (kogia breviceps)

Hyponatremia at autopsy: an analysis of etiologic mechanisms and their possible significance

Veterinary Forensic Pathology

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About