An autopsy case of decompression sickness: Hemorrhages in the fat tissue and fat embolism

作者：Ninomiya Kenji^*; Ihama Yoko; Yamagata Kenji; Fukasawa Maki; Nagai Takumi; Fuke Chiaki; Miyazaki Tetsuji

来源：Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine, 2013, 21(1): 23-26.

DOI：10.4323/rjlm.2013.23

• decompression sickness
• decompression illness
• fat tissue
• fat embolism
• diving
• autopsy

We present an autopsy case of decompression sickness (DCS). A man in his 50s who was a professional diver died of cardiopulmonary arrest on a ship after solo recreational diving with a hookah dive system. Although he was transported to a medical facility, he was confirmed dead approximately 1 h after cardiopulmonary arrest. At autopsy, the following findings were observed: skin discoloration with subcutaneous hemorrhages; diffuse bleeding in the epicardial fat, greater omentum, and mesentery; fat emboli in the kidneys; and numerous bubbles in the blood vessels. These findings, combined with those of the on-scene investigation, led to the conclusion that the subject died of DCS. The deceased had two distinctive findings related to fat: hemorrhages in the fat tissue and fat embolism. We suggest that these findings are vital reactions indicative of DCS.

• 出版日期2013-3