Sudden death in idiopathic giant cell myocarditis.
A rare case of idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis fatally affecting a middle-aged woman is presented. The circumstances of the fulminant and unexpected death were witnessed and reported by a relative. The confusing aspects of the 'Fiedler's myocarditis', the relation with more common forms of viral myocarditis and finally the medico-legal importance in the context of the sudden and natural death are mentioned.
Piette
M
M
Department of Legal Medicine, State University of Ghent, Belgium.
Timperman
J
J
D000328:Adult; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D015726:Giant Cells; D006801:Humans; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000473:pathology*