title: Fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage during sexual activity: a case report.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via Antonio de Toni 12, Genoa, Italy. francesco.ventura@unige.it
authors.lastname: Portunato
authors.forename: Maria Celeste
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Landolfa
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Botto
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonsignore
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Stefano
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ventura
mesh_terms: 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