title: Ruptured pseudo-aneurysm of a femoral artery in a drug abuser revealed by post-mortem CT angiography.
abstract: A 35-year-old drug addict was found dead in a public toilet with a ruptured groin, which was later diagnosed to be a leaking pseudo-aneurysm. Investigation at the scene revealed impressive external hemorrhage related to a groin wound. Post-mortem computed tomography angiography demonstrated an aneurysm of the right femoral artery with leak of contrast liquid. Signs of blood loss were evident at autopsy, and histological examination revealed necrosis and rupture of the pseudo-aneurysm. Toxicological analyses were positive for methadone, cocaine, citalopram, and benzodiazepines. This is the first case report in the literature of a ruptured femoral pseudo-aneurysm with a post-mortem radiological diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne and Geneva, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. katarzyna.michaud@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Michaud
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grabherr
authors.forename: Maria Del Mar
authors.initials: Mdel M
authors.lastname: Lesta
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Augsburger
authors.forename: Franceso
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Doenz
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mangin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006119:Groin; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D012421:Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed