Accidental intoxication with hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid mixture

The paper describes a fatal case of accidental ingestion of a mixture of hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid. The man was admitted to hospital, where appropriate treatment, adequate to his condition, was instituted. Numerous ventricular fibrillation episodes, for which the patient was defibrillated repeatedly, were observed during the period of hospitalization. The patient was in a critical condition, with progressive symptoms of hypovolemic shock and multiorgan failure. On the next day after admission, signs of electromechanical dissociation progressing to asystole were noted. The instituted resuscitation procedure proved ineffective and the patient died. Autopsy revealed brownish discoloration of the esophageal, gastric, and small intestinal mucous membranes. Numerous ulcerations without signs of perforation were found both in the esophagus and in the stomach. The mucous membrane of the small intestine demonstrated focal rubefactions, whereas no focal lesions of the large intestinal mucosa were seen. Microscopic investigation of the biopsy specimens collected from the stomach, duodenum and small intestine revealed mucous membrane necrosis foci, reaching the deeper layers of the wall of these organs. The mucous membrane of the large intestine was congested. Bioptates obtained from the lungs indicated the presence of hemorrhagic infarcts and focal extravasations. Poisoning with the aforementioned acids with consequent necrosis of the esophageal, gastric, duodenal and small intestinal walls with hemorrhages to the gastrointestinal tract, as well as extravasations and hemorrhagic infarcts in the lungs was considered to be the cause of death

Chylothorax as a rare complication of acute pancreatitis in a 25-year-old woman after cesarean section

The paper presents the case of a 25-year-old woman who underwent cesarean section for gynecological indications in the 37th week of her second pregnancy. The perioperative course was uncomplicated, but one day later the general condition of the patient suddenly deteriorated: she developed respiratory disorders requiring intubation and treatment in an intensive care unit. On the 6th day after the surgery, the patient was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Appropriate conservative treatment was instituted, resulting in a gradual improvement of her condition. On the 13th postoperative day, a cardiac arrest in asystole occurred, with no response to the undertaken resuscitation procedures. An autopsy performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Łódź revealed, among other findings, acute pancreatitis with enzymatic necrosis of the adipose tissue, a significant accumulation of lymph in both pleural cavities, and pulmonary atelectasis. As demonstrated by the analysis of the case, chylothorax had most probably developed in the course of acute pancreatitis which was a complication of the cesarean section. Consequently, the prosecutor opened an investigation into the case under Article 155 of the Polish Penal Code to assess the appropriateness of medical management. The medico-legal opinion was issued by experts from outside the Department of Forensic Medicine in Łódź. In their view, the medical management of the patient was correct