ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 October 1985
Page Count: 5

Sudden Death Caused by Embolization of Trophoblast from Hydatidiform Mole
Petty, CS
Director, Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, TX

Cohle, SD
Forensic pathologist, Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, MI

(Received 7 February 1985; accepted 5 March 1985)

Abstract

A 16-year-old pregnant female presented to a hospital emergency room with vaginal bleeding and uterine cramping. She underwent a hysterotomy and curettage and, during the procedure, her pulse dropped from 130 to 30 beats/minute, her pO² fell to 10 mm of mercury, and she could not be resuscitated. At autopsy, she was found to have massive pulmonary embolization of syncytiotrophoblast from a hydatidiform mole of the uterus. This is the sixth reported case of trophoblastic embolization from a hydratidiform mole ending in death. This fatal termination may occur after a period of respiratory symptoms and may occur regardless of the mode of treatment.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, embolisms, trophoblast, pregnancy, embolization, hydatidiform mole, pregnancy complications

Paper ID: JFS11076J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11076J
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