Unexpected and sudden death due to undiagnosed medulloblastoma in twin pregnancy: A case report

作者:Ventura Francesco*; Barranco Rosario; Gentile Raffaella; Vergani Patrizia
来源:Forensic Science International, 2016, 266: E14-E17.
DOI:10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.08.011

摘要

The authors describe an unusual case of sudden and unexpected death caused by a medulloblastoma in a woman aged 28, native of South America, at the 33rd week of twin pregnancy, with neurological signs appeared a month before death. The initial symptoms were attributed to epiphenomena of pregnancy. Two weeks after hospitalization, the woman showed an acute frontal headache that prevented movement and caused a rapid lowering of arterial oxygen saturation. The patient died around 3 h later, despite resuscitation. Immediately after, a caesarean section was performed but it was not enough to prevent the death of the two foetuses. The autopsy revealed the presence of a tumour between the left lobe of the cerebellum and the vermis. Histological examination enabled to identify a medulloblastoma. Death was attributed to acute cardio-respiratory insufficiency caused by compression of the brain stem. Foetuses showed no malformation and their death was due to an acute hypoxia resulting from the mother cardiovascular arrest.

  • 出版日期2016-9