title: Fatal systemic allergic reaction following acrylic cranioplasty: a case report.
abstract: South Africa has a high death rate as a result of motor vehicle collisions. The motor vehicle accident fund is struggling with compensation claims made by the next of kin of the deceased. This report presents an unusual case of death as a result of systemic allergic reaction to acrylic material used to cover the frontal bone defect in a head injury patient. In independent forensic pathologist hired by the independent complaint directorate concluded that the cause of death was not related to the motor vehicle accident, and therefore the family cannot be compensated. The history, post mortem findings, management and issue of compensation claim are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Transkei, P/Bag XI Unitra, Umtata 5100, South Africa. meel@getafix.utr.ac.za
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Meel
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D020366:Methylmethacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D020366:Methylmethacrylate