Korean J Leg Med.  2013 Aug;37(3):167-170. 10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.3.167.

Sudden Death associated with Thyrotoxicosis: Report of Three Autopsy Cases

• Kim JY
• Kim MJ
• Park S
• Ha H

• KMID: 2305471
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.3.167

Abstract

Thyrotoxicosis (thyroid crisis) is a known cause of sudden death; however, only a few cases of death resulting from thyrotoxicosis have been reported. Histopathologic examination and postmortem thyroid function tests may be helpful in postmortem diagnosis, but their usefulness seems to be limited. We report three autopsy cases associated with thyrotoxicosis.

Keyword

Thyrotoxicosis; Sudden death; Thyroid crisis; Autopsy

MeSH Terms

Autopsy
Death, Sudden
Thyroid Crisis
Thyroid Function Tests
Thyrotoxicosis

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (Case 1) The thyroid gland shows relatively symmetric enlargement with soft and meaty parenchyma (a). There are follicles of varying size, lined by tall columnar cells with decrease in the amount of colloid and formation of pseudopapillary structures (b: H & E, × 200).

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  Fig. 2. (Case 2) There are diffuse hyperplasia of follicular epithelial cells in thyroid gland (H & E, × 200).

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  Fig. 3. (Case 3) The cut surface shows nodules of varying size and a glistening parenchyma. Focal calcifications are seen (a). There are small follicles with scanty colloid lined by low cuboidal cells (b: H & E, × 200).

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