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Open Access 01-05-2021 | Autopsy | Case Report

Death in the sauna-vitality markers for heat exposure

Authors: Anja Wegner, Elke Doberentz, Burkhard Madea

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

In sauna-associated deaths, the vitality of heat exposure is of great importance. Two case reports address this. First, we present the case of a 77-year-old man who was found dead in the sauna of his family home. When found, the sauna door was closed, and the sauna indicated a temperature of 78 °C. The body had already begun to decay and was partially mummified when it was found. In the other case, a 73-year-old woman was found dead in the sauna by her husband. In this case, the sauna door was also closed. The sauna was still in operation at a temperature of approximately 70 °C. Epidermal detachments were found. In both autopsies and their follow-up examinations, there were no indications of a cause of death competing with heat shock. The expression of heat shock proteins in kidneys and lungs and the expression of aquaporin 3 in skin were investigated to detect pre-mortal temperature influences.

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Title: Death in the sauna-vitality markers for heat exposure
Authors: Anja Wegner
Elke Doberentz
Burkhard Madea
Publication date: 01-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Autopsy
Shock
Heat Stroke
Shock
Heat Stroke
Heat Exposure
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02504-3

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Death in the sauna-vitality markers for heat exposure

Abstract

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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