The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2011
Case ReportsCarbon monoxide poisoning from disposable charcoal barbeques.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common cause of accidental death and suicide. This article reports 4 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning following the inhalation of fumes from disposable charcoal barbeques in a confined space. All of the cases occurred within a 2-year period in Northern Ireland.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2011
Case ReportsA rare case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis presenting to the medical examiner.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare and dramatic complication of hyperthyroidism. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis classically presents with proximal lower limb weakness in the setting of hypokalemia and thyrotoxicosis. ⋯ We report a case of undiagnosed fatal thyrotoxic periodic paralysis presenting to the medical examiner. The diagnosis was made primarily by review of the clinical history.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2011
Case ReportsForeign body penetration of the fontanelle: mechanisms and manner of death.
Penetrating injuries of the anterior fontanelle are exceedingly uncommon and are most often associated with inflicted injury. This report of an 11-month-old boy, who fell backward onto a lamp-shade strut that penetrated his anterior fontanelle and left frontal lobe, demonstrates that accidental injuries may also rarely occur. ⋯ Careful evaluation of the death scene with reconstruction incorporating the autopsy findings was required to establish the veracity of the history and the credibility of the proposed sequence of events. Mechanisms of death after penetrating injuries of the fontanelle include immediate effects from direct damage to cerebral vital structures or blood vessels with hemorrhage or delayed effects from either cerebral edema with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or sepsis.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2011
Case ReportsKneePR--Substantial injuries caused by unorthodox resuscitation technique.
We report a case of cardiopulmonary resuscitation involving chest compressions performed with the rescuer's knee. The substantial injuries caused by this unorthodox technique could have been mistaken for the cause of death were it not for careful scene investigation and documentation.