Ver�nderungen der Skelettmuskulatur beim Tod durch Unterk�hlung

Abstract

The review of 32 deaths resulting from hypothermia yielded mostly the common pathological findings as bright red livores, haemolytic frost marks of the skin and Wichnewski erosions of the gastric mucosa. In addition the muscle system of the body core (musc. ileopsoas) showed hemorrhages and histologically necrosis of its fibres in form of segmental and discoid sarcoplasmatic alteration. These changes are a quite specific sign of death due to hypothermia, as far as mechanical injury can be excluded. For best result however a special autopsy technique and an appropriate histological staining are advisable.

Fatty degeneration in renal tubule epithelium in accidental hypothermia victims

“…Lipoidic degeneration of the adrenal glands [2,3], non-hemorrhagic pancreatitis [4][5][6], bleedings into muscles in the centre of the body [7,8] and loss of colloid in the thyreoid with intracolloidal vacuoles [9] have also been reported.…”

Fatty degeneration of myocardial cells as a sign of death due to hypothermia versus degenerative deposition of lipofuscin

“…Other authors mention further morphological signs of hypothermia like muscleand pancreatic-bleedings, e.g. [9][10][11][12].…”