Fatal thromboembolic complications following assault in a subject with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
A 62-year-old male with no significant medical history developed thromboembolic complications in the lower limbs shortly after an assault which involved punching and kicking to the trunk. Laparotomy revealed intra-abdominal injuries and an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Death from multi-organ failure and sepsis occurred 9 days post-injury. The discussion concentrates on blunt force trauma to the abdominal aorta, specifically on causation, mechanisms of injury and complications.
Department of Forensic Pathology, Wales Institute of Forensic Medicine, Cardiff University College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK. davisonam@cardiff.ac.uk
Andrew Meikle
AM
Davison
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000473:pathology; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014754:Violence; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*