ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

Hypothermia: Autopsy Findings and Vitreous Glucose
Coe, JI
Chief of pathology, Hennepin County Medical Center, MN

Abstract

Anatomic lesions associated with hypothermia are variable and nonspecific. Only a few gross lesions and no microscopic pathology were noted in the acute deaths of this series. An interesting anatomic observation was the low weight of the lungs in 45% of the hypothermic deaths. Hypothermia is recognized as frequently producing hyperglycemia and 80% of a group of such patients clinically treated at the Hennepin County Medical Center had elevated blood sugar values. This correlates with an average vitreous glucose of 82.6 mg/dL in the hypothermic deaths. By contrast, the average vitreous glucose value found in each of two separate control groups was 37 mg/dL.

Establishing hypothermia as the cause of death requires a proper history of exposure and the absence of any other clear-cut lethal factor. Certain biochemical tests may provide supporting evidence. Among these is an elevated vitreous glucose in a nondiabetic individual.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, hypothermia, vitreous humor

Paper ID: JFS11684J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11684J
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