{"id":2276,"date":"2025-02-03T21:38:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T02:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/?p=2276"},"modified":"2025-02-03T22:10:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T03:10:19","slug":"pathology-cases-cardiac-tamponade-due-to-perforation-of-ascending-aortic-aneurysm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/2025\/02\/03\/pathology-cases-cardiac-tamponade-due-to-perforation-of-ascending-aortic-aneurysm\/","title":{"rendered":"Pathology cases &#8212; Cardiac tamponade due to perforation of ascending aortic aneurysm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This is a case of a 35-year-old-man found dead at home.\u00a0 His only known medical history was repair of a fractured finger from falling from a bicycle at the age of 32.\u00a0 His blood pressure was elevated at that time, but he was noted to be in pain.\u00a0 At autopsy there were 380 cc of liquid blood in the pericardial space.\u00a0 The heart was not enlarged, but there was an obvious area of balooning and thinning of the proximal ascending aorta, with perforation.\u00a0 The diameter of the aorta at the site of perforation was 4.3 cm, while the diameter immediately above it was 2.1 cm:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart1.webp\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2279\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart1-768x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart1-768x1024.webp 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart1-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart1-1152x1536.webp 1152w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart1.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart2.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2278\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart2-768x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart2-768x1024.webp 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart2-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart2-1152x1536.webp 1152w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/heart2.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On histologic examintion, it shows the classic findings of these aneurysms.\u00a0 There was notable medial degeneration.\u00a0 Here&#8217;s a section at the perforation:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/composite-scaled.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2284\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/composite-916x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/composite-916x1024.webp 916w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/composite-268x300.webp 268w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/composite-768x859.webp 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/composite-1374x1536.webp 1374w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/composite-1832x2048.webp 1832w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/composite-1600x1789.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The medial degeneration has the classic blue myxomatous appearance we all know and love:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7102.div_-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2280\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7102.div_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7102.div_-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7102.div_-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7102.div_-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7102.div_-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7102.div_-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7102.div_-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7104.div_-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2281\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7104.div_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7104.div_-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7104.div_-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7104.div_-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7104.div_-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7104.div_-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7104.div_-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7106.div_-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2282\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7106.div_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7106.div_-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7106.div_-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7106.div_-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7106.div_-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7106.div_-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7106.div_-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a trichrome, because it&#8217;s pretty:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7124.div_-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2285\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7124.div_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7124.div_-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7124.div_-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7124.div_-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7124.div_-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7124.div_-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7124.div_-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Elastic stain shows classic degeneration and breakup of the elastic lamellae:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7111.div-7113.div_-scaled.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2286\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7111.div-7113.div_-1024x305.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"205\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7111.div-7113.div_-1024x305.webp 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7111.div-7113.div_-300x89.webp 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7111.div-7113.div_-768x228.webp 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7111.div-7113.div_-1536x457.webp 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7111.div-7113.div_-2048x609.webp 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7111.div-7113.div_-1600x476.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7118.div_-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2287\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7118.div_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7118.div_-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7118.div_-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7118.div_-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7118.div_-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7118.div_-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7118.div_-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7120.div_-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2288\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7120.div_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7120.div_-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7120.div_-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7120.div_-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7120.div_-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7120.div_-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7120.div_-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7122.div_-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2289\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7122.div_-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"688\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7122.div_-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7122.div_-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7122.div_-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7122.div_-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7122.div_-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/7122.div_-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a good review of grading of these things at:<\/p>\n<p>Bruijn LE, van Stroe G\u00f3mez CG, Curci JA, Golledge J, Hamming JF, Jones GT, Lee R, Matic L, van Rhijn C, Vriens PW, W\u00e5gs\u00e4ter D, Xu B, Yamanouchi D, Lindeman JH. A histopathological classification scheme for abdominal aortic aneurysm disease. JVS Vasc Sci. 2021 Oct 7;2:260-273. doi: 10.1016\/j.jvssci.2021.09.001. PMID: 34825232; PMCID: PMC8605212.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s open access on PubMed.<\/p>\n<p>As always, free for use with or without attribution, though attribution is appreciated.\u00a0 Higher resolution images available if you contact me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a case of a 35-year-old-man found dead at home.\u00a0 His only known medical history was repair of a&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[99,108,109,60],"tags":[59,66,56],"class_list":["post-2276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forensic-pathology","category-gross-pathology","category-pathology-cases","category-photomicrographs","tag-autopsy","tag-heart","tag-histology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2276"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2276\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2291,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2276\/revisions\/2291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.forensicpath.us\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}