Abstract
A 12-year-old, clinically healthy girl suddenly collapsed and died after having been chased on the pavement by a car. Autopsy revealed signs of inflammation of the upper and lower airways, distinct cardiac edema of the lungs, acute congestion of the abdominal organs and increased cerebral pressure. However, the cause of death was not clear. Toxicological analyses were negative. Histologically, reticular fibrosis of the right heart focused on the perivascular regions with only few lymphocytes, immunohistochemically proven as CD3-positive T cells, was detected. The lungs showed a remarkable increase of the peribronchial lymphatic tissue and slight signs of interstitial pneumonia. Nested PCR revealed traits of viral RNA of coxsackievirus B3 in the myocardium. A coxsackievirus B3 myocarditis close to recovery was diagnosed, which was consistent with the histological findings, explaining the sudden unexpected death under severe psychic and physical stress.
Translated title of the contribution | Sudden unexpected death of a 12-year-old girl with clinically inconspicuous myocarditis under psychic and physical stress |
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Original language | German |
Pages (from-to) | 229-232 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Rechtsmedizin |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Myocarditis
- Psychic and physical stress
- Sudden unexpected death