Sudden Unexpected Death of Hospitalized Patients with Pneumonia: 4 Autopsy cases. |
Youn Shin Kim, Yu Duck Choi, Young Seok Kim, Minseob Eom, Han Young Lee |
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Western District Office, Korea. ysk007@fm@hotmail.com 2Department of Forensic Medicine, Eastern District Office, National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Korea. |
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Abstract |
Four cases of sudden unexpected death during hospitalization are described where autopsy examination showed lobar pneumonia. As widely accepted, sudden death is defined as a natural unexpected death within 1 hour of symptoms and it is well known that pneumonia can be a cause of sudden death. Although pneumonia is a common finding in autopsy, it is not usual that pneumonia is a direct cause of death, especially in medicolegal autopsy cases. In the present study about 4 cases, pneumonia was primary illness and direct cause of death. 4 victims were all male(39~74 years) and found dead on the bed or corridor couch during their admission. The authors describe the autopsy findings, clinical features and courses, and predisposing factors, with literature review. |
Key Words:
Pneumonia, Sudden death, Admission |
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