title: [Peri-mortem skin lesions caused by regurgitation of gastric juice. 2 case reports and differential diagnostic considerations].
abstract: Two cases of regurgitation of gastric juice peri mortem are reported which resulted in lesions of the thoracic skin and led to the suspicion of being caused by another possibly dangerous chemical agent. In both cases, however, other causes of death could be established. Neither could any foreign chemical substances be detected by extensive toxicological investigations nor were any alterations of esophagus and gastric mucosa revealed in the course of the autopsy. Histological investigations demonstrated a circumscribed recent necrosis of the epidermis and dermis. Therefore, regurgitation of the acidic gastric content as the agent impairing the skin was most likely. The impressive histological appearance of the peri mortem regurgitation skin lesions lesions may be due to the circulatory arrest as well as stagnation of vital cellular reactions and repair mechanisms, dehydration of the altered tissue and postmortem permanence of the impairing agent.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Klotzbach
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: von den Driesch
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schulz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000473:pathology*; D001344:Autopsy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000473:pathology*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000473:pathology*; D002423:Cause of Death; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005750:Gastric Juice; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000473:pathology
vernacular_title: Perimortale Hautläsionen durch Regurgitation von Magensaft. Zwei Fallbeispiele und differentialdiagnostische Uberlegungen.