title: [Differential diagnosis: blue gastric mucosa. Post-mortem staining of the gastric mucosa with methylene blue].
abstract: An intense discoloration of the gastric mucosa or the gastrointestinal tract found at autopsy gives rise to the question of its cause. Such discolorations are mostly described in the context of intoxications. However, traditional foods and diagnostic procedures using indicator dyes can also lead to an unusual discoloration of the mucous membranes. The authors report on the autopsy findings in a man who died from a bleeding gastric ulcer and whose gastric mucosa showed intense blue discoloration. Experimental postmortem examinations (on stomachs) were performed with methylene blue, a dye used in gastroenterology, resulting in a blue discoloration resembling the appearance of the stomach in the autopsy case. Together with the outcome of the toxicological analyses, the experiments pointed to a diagnostic procedure using methylene blue (chromoendoscopy).
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität Hamburg.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osterwald
authors.forename: Jula
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gehl
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Püschel
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002299:Cardia / Q000473:pathology; D002423:Cause of Death; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D008751:Methylene Blue