The authors describe an unusual case of sudden and unexpected death caused by a medulloblastoma in a woman aged 28, native of South America, at the 33rd week of twin pregnancy, with neurological signs appeared a month before death. The initial symptoms were attributed to epiphenomena of pregnancy. Two weeks after hospitalization, the woman showed an acute frontal headache that prevented movement and caused a rapid lowering of arterial oxygen saturation. The patient died around 3 h later, despite resuscitation. Immediately after, a caesarean section was performed but it was not enough to prevent the death of the two foetuses. The autopsy revealed the presence of a tumour between the left lobe of the cerebellum and the vermis. Histological examination enabled to identify a medulloblastoma. Death was attributed to acute cardio-respiratory insufficiency caused by compression of the brain stem. Foetuses showed no malformation and their death was due to an acute hypoxia resulting from the mother cardiovascular arrest.

Ventura, F., Barranco, R., Gentile, R., Vergani, P. (2016). Unexpected and sudden death due to undiagnosed medulloblastoma in twin pregnancy: A case report. FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL, 266, e14-e17 [10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.08.011].

Unexpected and sudden death due to undiagnosed medulloblastoma in twin pregnancy: A case report

VERGANI, PATRIZIA
Ultimo
2016

Abstract

The authors describe an unusual case of sudden and unexpected death caused by a medulloblastoma in a woman aged 28, native of South America, at the 33rd week of twin pregnancy, with neurological signs appeared a month before death. The initial symptoms were attributed to epiphenomena of pregnancy. Two weeks after hospitalization, the woman showed an acute frontal headache that prevented movement and caused a rapid lowering of arterial oxygen saturation. The patient died around 3 h later, despite resuscitation. Immediately after, a caesarean section was performed but it was not enough to prevent the death of the two foetuses. The autopsy revealed the presence of a tumour between the left lobe of the cerebellum and the vermis. Histological examination enabled to identify a medulloblastoma. Death was attributed to acute cardio-respiratory insufficiency caused by compression of the brain stem. Foetuses showed no malformation and their death was due to an acute hypoxia resulting from the mother cardiovascular arrest.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Foetal hypoxia; Medulloblastoma; Pregnancy; Sudden death;
Foetal hypoxia; Medulloblastoma; Pregnancy; Sudden death; 2734
English
2016
266
e14
e17
none
Ventura, F., Barranco, R., Gentile, R., Vergani, P. (2016). Unexpected and sudden death due to undiagnosed medulloblastoma in twin pregnancy: A case report. FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL, 266, e14-e17 [10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.08.011].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/136669
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