Sudden death in childhood due to varicella pneumonia: a forensic case report with clinical implications

Abstract

Varicella (chickenpox) is one of the most frequent highly infectious diseases in childhood. It is caused by varicella-zoster virus. Lethal complications are rare. Focused on histological findings, we present a case of a sudden unexpected death of an otherwise healthy 18-month-old girl due to varicella-induced pneumonia. The histological and immunohistochemical investigations of the lung tissue revealed typical findings of a varicella pneumonia: haemorrhagic and necrotic nodules, intra-alveolar fibrin, numerous neutrophilic granulocytes, lymphocytes, plasmacells, macrophages, multinucleated giant cells and hyaline membranes. Varicella-related deaths are preventable by vaccine. To prevent complications and lethal outcome of varicella as reported here, the recommendations concerning vaccination against varicella must be taken into account in paediatric practice.

Sudden death after isobutane sniffing: a report of two forensic cases

“…In conclusion, in agreement with the literature, e.g. [6,8,9,12,13], these cases demonstrate again the importance of histological and immunohistochemical investigations in forensic casework.…”

Rare coincidence of a giant aneurysm of the basilar artery with a macroadenoma of the pituitary gland in a forensic autopsy

“…The case reported by us may serve as an example for the wide range of pathomorphological phenomena to be found in forensic autopsies [8,10,13,14,24]. The involvement with manifold and sometimes rare natural diseases stresses the importance of professional exchange among medico-legal experts, clinicians and non-forensic pathologists.…”

Sudden death due to subarachnoid bleeding from ecchordosis physaliphora

“…However, fresh haemorrhages as well as haemosiderin deposits were detected within the EP, which was assumed to be the origin of the bleeding. Like similar publications [3,6,10,11], this manuscript aims at making the medico-legal profession aware of a rare condition that can lead to sudden death.…”