Affiliation:
1. Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Toilet cleaner containing hydrochloric acid is a common item found in households all over the world. Due to the availability of the substance, it becomes one of the main contributors to corrosive damage to the gastrointestinal system. This study reports a case of a female in her 50s with an alleged history of ingestion of toilet cleaner an empty bottle of which was found together with a suicide note at the incident site. During the autopsy, the forensic expert made an intriguing observation regarding the dispersion of ingested acid to other organs without gastric perforation. Despite the absence of gastric perforation, the corrosive effects of the ingested acid were evident in various organs, including the liver and spleen. This phenomenon suggests a unique mechanism by which the acid is able to disperse and cause damage beyond the stomach, leading to widespread organ involvement. However, through a comprehensive analysis of the detailed history, typical macroscopic autopsy findings, and chemical analysis reports, it is possible to establish that the cause of death is corrosive acid poisoning. In such cases, further investigation is warranted to gain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the dispersion of the acid and its clinical implications. By delving deeper into these aspects, we can enhance our knowledge and contribute to the field of forensic medicine.
Publisher
Uniwersytet Jagiellonski - Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellonskiego
Reference15 articles.
1. Fatal course of a suicidal intoxication with hydrochloric acid;Koschny;Case reports in gastroenterology,2013
2. 2. Bosher Jr LH, Burford TH, Ackerman L. The pathology of experimentally produced lye burns and strictures of the esophagus. Journal of Thoracic Surgery. 1951 May 1;21(5):483-9
3. 3. Dalus D, Mathew AJ, Pillai SS. Formic acid poisoning in a tertiary care center in South India: a 2-year retrospective analysis of clinical profile and predictors of mortality. The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2013 Feb 1;44(2):373-80
4. 4. Cheng HT, Cheng CL, Lin CH, Tang JH, Chu YY, Liu NJ, Chen PC. Caustic ingestion in adults: the role of endoscopic classification in predicting outcome. BMC gastroenterology. 2008 Dec;8:1-7
5. 5. Saxena D, Mishra PK, Sane MR, Tomar J, Yadav A. Delayed death due to Hydrochloric acid containing toilet-cleaner poisoning: A case report. Journal of the Indian Society of Toxicology. 2015;11(2):50-2