2. An Autopsy Case of Fatal Anaphylactic Shock Following Fluorescein Angiography

Abstract

We present a rare autopsy case of fatal anaphylactic shock following fluorescein angiography. A 71-year-old Japanese woman undergoing retinal angiography to evaluate diabetic retinopathy died immediately after an injection of sodium fluorescein. Forensic autopsy and post-mortem biochemical analyses revealed an elevated serum level of tryptase which, in the absence of morphologic changes suggesting injury or disease, confirmed the diagnosis of fatal anaphylactic shock. Although serious adverse effects are rare after fluorescein angiography, patients should be observed, with appropriate resuscitation equipment available, for several hours after the administration of fluorescein.