An experimental rat model of electric shock injury with isolated electric shock and water conduction: the histopathological changes on the skin and internal organs and the effect on biochemical parameters

It is difficult to determine the cause of death in electric shock injuries when no trace can be determined on the skin, and this is accepted as a reason for negative autopsy. We aimed to determine useful parameters in the definition of the cause of deaths associated with electric shock and particularly those formed with water conduction. This study used a total of 42 rats, applied with fatal electric shock formed of isolated electric shock at 220 V and with water conduction. The serum NT-ProBNP and H-FABP levels were examined together with histopathological changes in the brain, cerebellum, brainstem, heart, liver and skin and the Bax, caspase-3 and HSP-60 antibody status in these tissues. A statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of the serum H-FABP values and the immunohistochemical staining of the samples taken from the organs. In conclusion, this study is the first in literature with an experimental model of electric shock with water conduction. Using immunohistochemical and biochemical markers in deaths associated with isolated electric shock and electric shock with water conduction, the results of this study can contribute to the clarification of one of the reasons for negative autopsy in forensic medicine.

Shaken baby syndrome resulting in death: a case series

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to raise the awareness of all healthcare personnel, primarily Emergency Department physicians, forensic physicians, and paediatricians about cases of shaken baby syndrome (SBS), which can be difficult to diagnose, require a high level of suspicion in diagnosis and there is a high likelihood of missed diagnosis.

METHODS

A retrospective examination was made of 3400 forensic cases applied with autopsy between 2012 and 2018 to the Forensic Medicine Institution of Malatya Group Directorate.

RESULTS

Of the total cases, 113 were aged < 2 years and head trauma was determined in 35. Eight cases were determined as SBS. Of the 8 cases that resulted in death, 75% were male and the mean age was 8.3 months. The trauma had been perpetrated by the father in 50% of cases. There was a history of seizure in 67.5% of the infants and 75% were taken to the Emergency Department with cardiopulmonary arrest. Subdural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage were determined in 37.5% of the cases, subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracranial hemorrhage in 50%, and epidural hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 12.5%. In the microscopic examination of the medulla spinalis, focal subdural fresh bleeding was seen in 50% of cases. Bleeding around the optic nerves was determined in 37.5% of cases bilaterally and in 37.5% unilaterally. Retinal hemorrhage was determined in all the cases, which was bilateral in 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

The actual worldwide incidence of SBS is not known, and in Turkey, it is thought to be much higher than has been determined. The most important reason for this is thought to be that the diagnosis of child abuse is difficult and physicians do not have a sufficient level of knowledge.

Nomenclature of appendiceal mucinous lesions according to the 2019 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Digestive System

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To analysis the appendiceal mucinous lesions according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2019 classification of tumors of the digestive system (non-neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix vermiformis)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and histopathological data of 37 patients with histopathologically proven appendiceal mucinous lesion from January 2010 to May 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Pathology slides were re-evaluated by two pathologists according to the WHO 2019 classification of tumors of the digestive system.

RESULTS

Totally 37 patients (male:19 female: 18) aged 23 to 93 years were analyzed. Majority of the patients (75.7 %) had underwent appendectomy due to preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis (n=22) or periappendiceal tumoral lesions (n=9), the others (n=9) underwent incidental appendectomy. Whereas acute appendicitis was histopathologically diagnosed in 16 (43.2%) patients, perforation was diagnosed in 12 (32.4%) patients (perforation without appendicitis=3, perforation with appendicitis=6). According to the initial, pathology reports were prepared as follows: mucocele (n=10), mucinous cystadenoma (n=9), low-grade mucinous neoplasm (n=6), mucinous adenocarcinoma (n=5), mucosal hyperplasia (n=5), hyperplastic polyp (n=1), adenomatous polyp (n=1). On the basis of the WHO 2019 classification, pathology reports were prepared as follows: low-grade mucinous neoplasm (n=17), simple retention cysts (n=6), hyperplastic polyp (n=6), mucinous adenocarcinoma (n=5), ruptured appendiceal diverticula (n=2), sessile serrated lesion (n=1).

CONCLUSION

The term of appendiceal mucinous lesion, which is recently introduced into medical literature is suitable to distinguish between lesions with and without malignancy potential. The WHO 2019 classification system has been an important step in simplifying the classification of non- neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix vermiformis.

A giant subserosal uterine leiomyoma mimicking an abdominal mass: multimodal imaging data

Giant uterine leiomyomas are extremely rare neoplasms and are challenging both diagnostically and therapeutically. A 49-year-old premenopausal female presented at our Department complaining of abdominal pain and distention for several years. Ultrasound (US), color Doppler US, abdominal computed tomography imaging after administration of contrast material, and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging were performed. Histopathologic examination revealed a pedunculated subserosal uterine leiomyoma. In this case report, we present abdominopelvic multimodal radiologic imaging findings of our patient with a giant subserosal uterine leiomyoma, in conjunction with histopathological findings.