ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 17 December 2003
Page Count: 3

Sudden Unexpected Death Due to a Brainstem Glioma in an Adult
Dolinak, D
Dallas County Medical Examiner Department, TX

Matshes, E
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan

Waghray, R
Calgary Laboratory Services and University of Calgary Department of Pathology, Alberta

(Received 10 May 2003; accepted 24 August 2003)

Abstract

Sudden death due to undiagnosed central nervous system tumors is an uncommon, but well-described occurrence. Most of the tumors in these circumstances are supratentorial and occur in a wide spectrum of ages. Brainstem tumors are more rare and occur predominantly in the pediatric and adolescent populations. We present the case of a 48-year-old man who died suddenly and unexpectedly of a brainstem glioma. This case is unusual because of his age and the paucity of antecedent symptoms.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic pathology, brainstem neoplasm, glial cell tumors, sudden death

Paper ID: JFS2003151
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003151
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