Fatal Heat Stroke: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

As known in forensics, heat stroke deaths diagnosis is made by exclusion. In fact, in heat-related deaths, the gross and histologic postmortem findings are not pathognomonic, and biochemical investigations are not specific. Therefore, in such cases, a detailed examination of the circumstantial data and autopsied findings is necessary to exclude other possible causes of death. A case of fatal heat stroke of an elderly woman is reported. This case was diagnosed by examining the above elements in combination with immunohistochemical detection of heat shock proteins (HSPs). We then performed a narrative review of the literature on the subject to compare our case with similar ones. In view of the diagnostic complexity of heat-related deaths, we consider it essential to outline the state of the art on this topic. Our results may be a useful tool to orient forensic investigations into these types of deaths.

Keywords

• heat stroke
• hyperthermia
• autopsy
• forensic pathology
• immunohistochemistry