Sudden Death due to Brainstem Leukemic Hemorrhage： A Case Report

Introduction Leukem ia is a hem atologic neoplasm characterized by potential infectious and hem orrhagic com plications In adult patients with acute leukem ia,in fection is the most com m on com plication.Imtrcra nial hem orrhage (ICH) is the second most common com plication.H ow ever,ICH has been identified as the m ajor cause of m orbidity and m ortaliity in pa tients with leukem ia[1-6].A num ber of case ceports ascribed the death of leukem ic patients due to hem orrhge of the supratentorial and infratentorial brain,basal ganglia,and cerebellum [2,7-9].However,few cases have reported on brainstem hem orrhage.The current case report involved a young wom an who died of brainstem hem orrhage due to acute leukem ia,discussing the pathophysiologic m echanism underly ing ICH.Futhherm ore,the risk factors were specified,w ith a provision of suggestions to forensic pathologists in handling deaths associated w ith ICH,especially sudden unexpected deaths.

Introduction Leukemia is a hematologic neoplasm character- ized by potential infectious and hemorrhagic com- plications. In adult patients with acute leukemia, in- fection is the most common complication. Intracra- nial hemorrhage （ICH） is the second most common complication. However, ICH has been identified as the major cause of morbidity and mortality in pa- tients with leukemia[1-6].