Sudden Unexpected Death Due to Graves' Disease During Physical Altercation

• NCJ Number: 246215
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2013 Pages: 1374-1377
• Author(s): Dengming Wei Ph.D.; Xiaogang Yuan M.D.; Tiantong Yang Ph.D.; Lin Chang M.D.; Xiang Zhang M.D.; Allen Burke M.D.; David Fowler M.D.; Ling Li M.D.
• Date Published: September 2013
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

We report a case of a 30-year-old woman who suddenly collapsed after having a physical altercation with her husband.

Abstract

We report a case of a 30-year-old woman who suddenly collapsed after having a physical altercation with her husband. Despite immediate resuscitation, she died on arrival at the hospital. The victim's parents requested an autopsy because they believed that their daughter was killed by her husband. Postmortem examination revealed that the victim had a diffusely enlarged thyroid gland and cardiomegaly with left ventricular hypertrophy. There was no evidence of significant trauma on the body. Further postmortem thyroid function tests and review of her medical history indicated that her death was due to Graves' disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported of sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmia from Graves' disease induced by physical and emotional stress associated with the criminal activity of another person. The autopsy findings are described. In addition, the literature is reviewed and the significance of postmortem evaluation of thyroid hormones in the cases of sudden death is discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.