title: Autopsy report for chemical burns from cresol solution.
abstract: Cresol, which is used as a disinfectant and insecticide, has erosive effects on epidermal and epithelial tissues in the body. Oral exposure causes gastrointestinal corrosive injuries as a direct chemical burn. We report herein a case of suicidal poisoning by ingestion of cresol solution. An octogenarian man with depression was found dead approximately 14 h after exposure to less than 500 mL of saponated cresol solution. Macroscopically, corrosive lesions such as red-to-brown-colored epithelium and edematous thickening of walls were seen in the skin, mouth, oral cavity, esophagus, and stomach. Histopathologically, coagulative necrosis and vascular dilatation were detected from mucosal to muscular layers in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Congestive edema of the lungs, edematous changes in the brain, and proximal tubular necrosis of the kidneys were seen, suggesting acute circulatory disturbance due to shock. This human case offers valuable information on the direct irritation and shock induced by systemic exposure to corrosive substances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology II, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan; Medical Examiner's Office of Hyogo Prefecture, 2-1-31 Arata-machi, Hyogo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Emoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology II, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan. Electronic address: yoshizak@hirakata.kmu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshizawa
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic Cytopathology and Histopathology, Kansai Medical University Takii Hospital, Fumizono 10-15, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shikata
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology II, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan.
authors.forename: Airo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsubura
authors.affiliation: Medical Examiner's Office of Hyogo Prefecture, 2-1-31 Arata-machi, Hyogo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagasaki
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D003408:Cresols / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide
chemical_list: D003408:Cresols; C077977:cresol
keywords: Autopsy; Chemical burn; Cresol; Histopathology; Suicide