Fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage during sexual activity: a case report.
In this article, a case of sudden and unexpected death of a homeless 45-year-old woman is described. The woman suddenly died following sexual intercourse. When her partner described the circumstances surrounding her death, he reported that it was about 1:00 PM and they were on the beach lying under a boat. Shortly after intercourse,the woman had severe dyspnea and rigidity of the body. Medical assistance was immediately called to the place but despite attempts of resuscitation,the woman died. A complete medico-legal autopsy was performed.The external examination was unremarkable; no signs of injuries or trauma were observed. However, the sectioning of the skull showed a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage because of a rupture of the aneurysmatic basilar artery. This case demonstrates that subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a cerebral artery rupture is still an important cause of death despite steady advances in diagnosis and treatment.
Portunato
Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via Antonio de Toni 12, Genoa, Italy. francesco.ventura@unige.it
Landolfa
Maria Celeste
MC
Botto
Manuela
M
Bonsignore
Alessandro
A
De Stefano
Francesco
F
Ventura
Francesco
F
D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D003075:Coitus; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology