Pulmonary cartilage embolism: fact or artefact?
Microscopic examination of the lungs of a victim of traumatic asphyxia showed the presence of isolated foci of pulmonary bone marrow and cartilage embolism, although no macroscopic fractures were found. This condition could have resulted from a microfracture at a costochondral junction caused by the severe chest compression that led to the victim's death, or it might have been a resuscitation artefact. The possible role of pulmonary cartilage embolism as a marker of antemortem injury is considered.
Lau
G
G
Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Science and Forensic Medicine, Singapore.
D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*