An unusual case of sudden unexpected death: postmortem investigation and biomechanical analysis of the cervical spine.
A naked man died under peculiar circumstances and the postmortem examination revealed unexpected lesions in the cervical spine. Investigations of the cervical spine (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histological examination) showed that a piece of bone was torn of the anterior part of vertebra C6 and that there was fresh bleeding in the surrounding tissue. The cause of death remained unclear but was most likely cardiac arrhythmia initiated by beta-2 agonist inhalation due to an acute asthmatic attack. Data from biomechanical investigation using finite element analysis supported the conclusion that the cervical spine injury was secondary to impact during falling as a consequence of the cardiac arrhythmia.
Ejlersen
June A
JA
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark.
Dalstra
Michel
M
Uhrenholt
Lars
L
Charles
Annie Vesterby
AV
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists