In the shadow of the Baron: sudden death due to Munchausen syndrome.
The authors describe a woman who died suddenly in an emergency department restroom after self-injection of corn starch in an attempt to gain admission to the hospital. At autopsy, multiple pulmonary vascular corn starch granulomata were identified, as well as pulmonary arteries filled with brewer's yeast. Retrospective evaluation of the patient's medical history showed multiple signs of Munchausen Syndrome. The authors suggest that the case illustrates the importance of scene investigation and review of the medical history by emergency department personnel and the forensic pathologist.
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Commonwealth of Kentucky, Louisville 40202.
G R
GR
Nichols
G J
GJ
Davis
T S
TS
Corey
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D009110:Munchausen Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D013213:Starch / Q000009:adverse effects*
D013213:Starch