title: Unusual death due to a bleeding from a varicose vein: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Varicose veins are a common entity presenting a worldwide distribution. Although they are usually benign, sometimes are proved to be a threatening condition. Massive hemorrhage is an unusual complication of this common venous pathology that demands immediate medical intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of a 66-year-old woman found dead in her house surrounded by a large quantity of blood. Autopsy revealed a 7 mm ulcer on the internal surface of the left lower leg communicating with a varicose vein, signs of exsanguinations and liver cirrhosis. Toxicological analysis was negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Massive hemorrhage from a ruptured varicosity is a severe medical emergency. Awareness of the risk of massive hemorrhage may provoke preventive treatment to be undertaken so as terminal loss of consciousness and a subsequent unattended death to be averted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Kleio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fragkouli
authors.forename: Antigoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitselou
authors.forename: Vassiliki A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Boumba
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siozios
authors.forename: George T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Vougiouklakis
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vougiouklakis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006801:Humans; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000503:physiopathology*