Cardiac tamponade caused by migration of a swallowed sewing needle

Forensic Sci Int. 2004 Jan 28;139(2-3):237-9. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2003.10.013.

Abstract

The case of a 20-year-old female prisoner who died due to cardiac tamponade caused by a swallowed sewing needle migration is reported. According to the autopsy report and complete analysis of medical records, the migration of the swallowed needle was reconstructed: from esophagus and stomach, through diaphragm and pericardium up to the left heart ventricle, where the needle was found at the autopsy. The case is very interesting and unique: there has been no similar case described in medical literature so far.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology*
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications*
  • Humans
  • Needles*