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A fatal twist in childhood: A post-mortem finding of intestinal volvulus with malrotation

Tan RZ, Darwin FL, Anuar Zainun K

Malays J Pathol, 2020 Dec;42(3):477-481.
PMID: 33361732

Gastrointestinal pathology leading to the death in paediatric age group is uncommon. The diseases that encountered were mostly intestinal obstruction, peritonitis and gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to the severe symptoms, most of the patients presented to hospital in time and were treated appropriately. However, with the presence of contributing factors, certain gastrointestinal pathology can progress rapidly leading to the death. We report a rare case of intestinal volvulus in a 3 years old girl where the deceased presented with one day short history of vomiting before her demise. The contributing factors were bronchopneumonia sepsis and underlying intestinal malrotation identified via post-mortem examination.
Post mortem troponin T analysis in sudden death: Is it useful?

Rahimi R, Dahili ND, Anuar Zainun K, Mohd Kasim NA, Md Noor S

Malays J Pathol, 2018 Aug;40(2):143-148.
PMID: 30173231 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac-related diseases contributed approximately 50-60% of sudden natural death cases. This study aimed to describe the cardiac troponin T (cTnT) findings in post mortem subjects irrespective of the cause and manner of death, and the possible use of post mortem serum cTnT as a modality in investigating sudden natural death.
METHODS: The study samples comprised 140 subjects aged 18 to 50 years old, natural and unnatural causes of sudden death brought to the Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Sungai Buloh (HSgB) and Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru (HSAJB) for a period of 12 months. The subjects were categorised into 5 groups: cardiovascular disease (CVD), sudden unexplained death (SUD), thoracic trauma (TT), non-thoracic trauma (NTT) and other diseases (OD).
RESULTS: Median troponin concentration in cases of CVD, SUD, TT, NTT, and OD were 0.51 μg/L, 0.17 μg/L, 0.62 μg/L, 0.90 μg/L and 0.51 μg/L respectively. We found no significant difference of troponin T level in different causes of death (p ≥ 0.05). NTT has the highest median troponin concentration with 0.90 μg/L, SUD possessed the lowest median concentration with 0.17 μg/L.
CONCLUSION: Troponin T is neither specific nor useful as cardiac biomarker for post mortem sample. Therefore, it may not be a useful diagnostic tool at autopsy.
Abnormal Muscularization of Intra-acinar Pulmonary Arteries in Two Cases Presenting as Sudden Infant Death

Zainun K, Hope K, Nicholson AG, Cohen MC

Pediatr Dev Pathol, 2017 Jan-Feb;20(1):49-53.
PMID: 28276303 DOI: 10.1177/1093526616689311

Abnormal muscularization of acinar arteries is the hallmark of persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN), an uncommon disease with high rate of morbidity and mortality. PPHN presents with signs of respiratory distress immediately following birth. We herein report 2 cases presenting as a witnessed sudden unexpected death in the late neonatal period, preceded by respiratory deterioration and in whom the presence of abnormal muscularization of the acinar pulmonary arteries was reminiscent of PPHN. The significance of this report is twofold: to increase the awareness among pediatricians and pathologists of this feature that can present in some cases of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and to highlight the importance of performing a thorough autopsy in order to identify the abnormality.
Medico-legal autopsies of homicidal deaths: A five-year retrospective study in Hospital Sungai Buloh

Rahimi R, Mohd Kasim NA, Zainun KA, Mohamad A' Azizan NA, Mansor MA, Ahmad Kamal NS, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2020 Apr;42(1):65-70.
PMID: 32342932

INTRODUCTION: Homicide is the act of killing one human being by another, encompassing death as a result of criminal act including justifiable homicide such as judicial killing and self-defence. This study aimed to ascertain the epidemiology and patterns of injury of homicide victims.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed records of medico-legal autopsy cases performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Sungai Buloh, for a period of five years, from January 2012 until December 2016. Subjects' demographic data such as age, gender, nationality, ethnicity and cause of death were recorded.
RESULTS: A total of 122 homicide cases were documented. 90% of the victims were 18 to 65 years old. Males contributed 80% of the subjects. An alarming 42% of the subjects comprised of non-Malaysians. Indonesian subjects contributed one-third of the non-citizen category, followed by Bangladeshis at 20.4%. Other nationalities were Burmese, Nepalese, Pakistani, Vietnamese and unspecified. Among Malaysians, 50% of the subjects were Indians, followed by Malay (31.5%) and Chinese (17.8%). Sharp and blunt force traumas were the most common injuries found, contributing 33% and 32% respectively. Asphyxiation and firearm injuries recorded an almost similar frequency, contributing 25% in combination. Other patterns included combined sharp and blunt objects (4.9%) and burns (3%).
CONCLUSIONS: A large number of immigrants in the country have significantly increased the forensic casework. Sharp and blunt objects continue to be the weapon of choice due to its easy accessibility. As domestic violence including fatal spousal and child abuse continue to rise, in-depth study in the area is warranted.