Citation

Emoto Y, Yoshizawa K, Shikata N, Tsubura A, Nagasaki Y. J. Toxicol. Pathol. 2016; 29(1): 45-47.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Japanese Society of Toxicologic Pathology)

DOI

10.1293/tox.2015-0049

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Sodium hydroxide is a strongly corrosive alkali. We describe herein a case of suicide by ingestion of sodium hydroxide. A man in his 80s was found dead with a mug and a bottle of caustic soda. Macroscopically, liquefaction and/or disappearance of esophagus, trachea and lung tissue and a grayish discoloration of the mucosa of the stomach were seen along with blackish brown coloration of the skin, mouth, and oral cavity. The contents of the gastrointestinal tract showed a pH level of 7-8 on pH indicator strips. Histopathologically, liquefactive necrosis of remnant lung tissue and the stomach were seen. As biological reactions such as vasodilatation and inflammation were not detected in these organs, only a short number of hours must have passed between ingestion and death. This human case provides valuable information concerning the direct irritation induced by systemic exposure to corrosive substances. © 2016 The Japanese Society of Toxicologic Pathology.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; Suicide; Autopsy; male; aged; autopsy; case report; intoxication; sodium hydroxide; histopathology; Article; tissue necrosis; very elderly; protein content; Histopathology; Chemical burn; liquefaction; Sodium hydroxide; stomach pH