KUMJ | VOL. 22 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 86 | APRIL - JUNE, 2024
An Unusual Presentation of Fatal Acute Haemorrhagic Pancreatitis in a Young Adult
Naveen A, Sahu MR, Padhi KS, Sharma M, Sahu SS, Mohanty MK
Abstract: Acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis is a medical emergency and the most severe form
of Acute Pancreatitis. It is characterized by severe epigastric pain that radiates to the
back and is associated with vomiting. If not diagnosed and managed promptly, it may
result in sudden, unexpected, unexplained deaths which fall within the medicolegal
domain. In such cases, the role of an autopsy is of paramount importance to
determine the cause of death. Here we report a young adult, who presented to
the local hospital with vague abdominal discomfort and vomiting following alcohol
intake and referred to our tertiary care center for further management. But he
was received dead on arrival at our hospital. The diagnosis of acute haemorrhagic
pancreatitis was made only after the post mortem examination. Awareness of the
physicians about the unusual symptoms in acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis and
the need for pancreas examination at autopsy of all sudden deaths is emphasised.
Keyword : Acute pancreatitis, Autopsy, Autolysis, Haemorrhagic pancreatitis, Sudden death, Young adult