NCJ Number
140932
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1993) Pages: 210-213
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A 9-year-old boy died suddenly and unexpectedly following a 2-day history of intermittent headaches; at autopsy, a colloid cyst of the third ventricle was found that obstructed the foramen of Monro and caused hydrocephalus with prominent cerebral edema.
Abstract
In addition to prominent pulmonary edema, there was marked cerebral edema with flattening of cerebral gyri and sulcal narrowing. Lateral ventricles were not compressed as expected, but rather were dilated. A 10-mm diameter cyst containing semitranslucent gelatinous material distending the third ventricle was identified. Histological examination of this lesion revealed features typical of a colloid cyst. Clinical features of the case are described, and the role of central nervous system disorders in sudden and unexpected deaths of children is examined. 21 references and 1 figure